Victor Gestring

Victor Gestring
Victor Carl Gestring, son of Otto and Minnie (Alsleben) Gestring, was born May 22, 1919, at Cowles, Nebraska.
He was baptized on June 15, 1919, by Rev. C.F. Sehrein and Rev. L. Ernst at Salem Lutheran Church near Cowles and confirmed on March 25, 1934, by Rev. W.H. Wendling at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Wauneta.
Vic moved to Sharon Springs, Kansas, in 1925 with his parents and sister Opal. In 1932 the family moved near Champion, and in 1933 they moved to the Wauneta area. Vic attended grades 1-7 at Sharon Springs, Kansas, and grade 8 at Immanuel Lutheran School, Champion. He graduated from Wauneta High School in 1939.
He entered the U.S. Army Air Force on November 20, 1940, at Fort Crook, Nebraska, and attended Airplane Mechanics School at Chanute Field, Illinois. He was assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron of the Air Force in August 1941. He went overseas on June 27, 1942, and was assigned to EAMET (England-Africa-Mediterranean-European Theatre). He was in Air Combat in the Balkans, Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Air Offensive Europe, Rhineland, and Northern France. Vic attained a Technical Sergeant ranking, and his citations included Ten Battle Stars, Distinguished Unit Badge with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, American Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, French Decoration from Free French Government, and Hat & Ring Emblem by Eddie Rickenbacher. He was honorably discharged June 8, 1945, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
On February 12, 1947, he was united in marriage to Irene Meeske at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Champion. The couple made their home just south of Imperial, and he remained a resident there until December 2010 when he moved to Parkview/Imperial Manor.
Vic was employed by the City of Imperial for 41 years as an electrical lineman, retiring in 1988. He and Irene always enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to various states for his Air Force reunions and their month-long stay in Germany for their 50th wedding anniversary. Vic also enjoyed gardening and helping with wheat harvest.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served on various boards, taught adult Sunday School, and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the VFW.
Vic passed away at the Chase County Hospital on Tuesday morning, May 17, 2011, at the age of 91 – just five days short of his 92nd birthday.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1967, his mother in 1985, his wife in 2000, and his sister in 2011. Surviving him and mourning his passing are nephews and nieces: Neil & Jo Fortkamp, Lynn & Joyce Fortkamp, Stan & Susan Fortkamp, Kenneth & Ruby Meeske, Dean & Alisa Rindels; Great nephews and nieces: Brian Barjenbruch, Scott Fortkamp, Mark & Lea Fortkamp, Jerel and Mary Fortkamp, Deven Fortkamp, Kelen & Elizabeth Fortkamp, Allison Fortkamp, Michael Fortkamp, Gina Blocher, Lloyd & Lynette Meeske, Galen & Audrey Meeske, Karl & Karra Meeske, Levi Meeske, Shelby & Kara McCracken, Curtis Rindels; sister-in-law: Leona Albin; Numerous other relatives & friends.
Funeral Services for Victor Gestring will be held Friday morning 11:00 A.M. at the Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial, with Pastor David Kahle officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, NE, Friday afternoon, 2:00 P. M.
Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, 2:00 P.M. – 6:00P.M. at the Funeral Home in Imperial.
A memorial has been established to the Zion Lutheran Church of Imperial.
On line condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
LIEWER FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS