Gary D. Berke, 86, died peacefully at Homestead House in Beatrice, Nebraska, on October 23, 2024. He was born November 22, 1937, on a farm north of Elwood, Nebraska. His parents were Theodore and Alice Berke.

He attended a one-room school house near Elwood and graduated from Lexington High School, lettering 4 years in football, basketball and track. He also played American Legion Baseball. He was offered a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska but decided to concentrate on his studies. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.  He participated in many activities at the University and was initiated into the Innocents Society (at that time only the 13 top Senior male students were selected annually, honoring those with high grades and recognized as leaders on campus). He graduated in 1959 from the College of Agriculture with a degree in Agronomy and a minor in Chemistry.  As a member of the Air Force ROTC in college, he was honored as the Distinguished Military Cadet. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force after graduation. It was in college where he started participating in bowling.

In June 1959, he married Gail Christenson from Beatrice whom he met in college on a blind date. They were married at Centenary Methodist Church in Beatrice. They moved to Lexington where he worked on his father’s farm until receiving his orders to report to Air Police School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.  After graduating Air Police School, he was permanently assigned to Lackland where he was appointed the Base Confinement Officer as 1st Lieutenant.  Gary continued his participation in bowling while at Lackland.  He was honorably discharged from service in October 1962.

He came to Beatrice to go into business with his Father-in-Law, I.G. “Chris” Christenson at Chris’ Chicks Hatchery. He worked there until Chris decided to close his 35-year old business. In deciding what new business to start, Gary and Chris decided to build a bowling lanes since Gary loved to bowl. Tonka Lanes was built in the summer of 1965 and opened for business that fall with Gary hired as the manager. Gary enjoyed working 7 days a week. His league bowlers were some of his closest friends, especially those that enjoyed some mischievous fun. At one time Gary had a little blue Volkswagen Bug which seemed to inspire many entertaining escapades instigated by his bowlers, such as one time finding the VW hoisted on two sawhorses and another time finding it propped on the back of a pickup. 

He was involved in the bowling industry as President of the Southeast District Bowling Proprietors, then as the President of the Nebraska Bowling proprietors for 2 terms. He served as the Vice President for the Regional Bowling Proprietors covering four states. He was selected as a member of the National Bowling Proprietors of America Association Board of Directors and then served for 12 years as a National Board member of the Bowlers to Victory Link, supporting recreational and therapeutic programs for hospitalized veterans nationwide. In 1988 Gary was inducted into the Nebraska Bowling Hall of Fame.

Gary was also very involved in many service organizations in Beatrice: Beatrice Rotary Club, 56 years of perfect attendance; Secretary/Treasurer; President, 2 terms; Board of Directors; Rotary District Governor for SE Nebraska 1990-91. District Governor representative. Sesostris Shrine Club (Blue Lodge & Scottish Rite) for 60 years beginning with the Alzafar Shrine Club in San Antonio. President Blue Valley Shrine Club. Beatrice Eagles Club, 52 years, served as Worthy President 2 terms. Beatrice American Legion Club, 45 years, served as Commander. Beatrice Elks Club, Life member, served as Exalted Ruler. Beatrice Toastmasters, served as President. Beatrice Junior Chamber of Commerce. Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce 68 years. St. John’s Lutheran Church Council, Beatrice. Served Meals on Wheels, Beatrice.

Gary enjoyed being busy which included traveling, golfing, fishing and was an avid fan of Nebraska football, attending games from 1962 until 2021. He enjoyed watching his children in their sports, often participating with them.  With his grandchildren, he followed as many of their activities and interests as he could, with bowling often being at the forefront.

Gary is survived by his wife Gail of 65 years, his sons, Todd (Christine) of Lincoln and Bradley (Jodi) of Beatrice and daughter Kimberly (Bill) Straub of Lincoln. His grandchildren Samantha (Kevin) Morris of Omaha, Anne (Nick) Swanson of Cambridge, IA, Lucas (Sophia) Berke of Plymouth, MN, Kassidy (Trey) Semrad of Fremont, Meghan Straub of Lincoln, Marten Berke of Lincoln, Lauren Berke of Bellevue, Jaci Berke of Omaha, and Blake Berke and Jada Berke of Beatrice. His great-grandchildren Ethan and Lincoln Morris of Omaha, Lilliana Berke of Plymouth, MN, Noah Swanson of Cambridge, IA. He is also survived by his sister Betty Erickson of Phoenix, AZ and sister-in-law Marian Berke of Lexington, along with many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws I.G. and Helen Christenson, brother Robert and nephew David.

Special thanks to the therapists/caregivers at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation, Homestead House and Cottonwood Hospice for care provided to Gary during this past year.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice with Pastor Church Bentjen and Seminarian Heidi Price officiating. The service will be Livestreamed by the church. Interment will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Airforce. The body will lie in state 12-5:00 PM Thursday, November 7 and 9:oo AM-8:00 PM Friday, November 8 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 PM on Friday, and at the church one hour preceding the funeral on Saturday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM Saturday at the church.  A memorial has been established to St. John Lutheran Church and the Beatrice Rotary Foundation with the funeral home in charge.  

In memory of Gary, we invite you to share your photos and memories and view his services and video tribute on his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.