Lawrence Gieselman Obituary

Funeral services for Lawrence Gieselman, age 90, of Bloomfield, Nebraska was held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019, at Christ Memorial United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. Reverend Lynde Linde will officiate, with burial in Bloomfield City Cemetery.


Military Honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4996, American Legion Post 249, Army National Guard Honor Guard, and American Legion Riders.


Visitation was Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church.


Brockhaus Funeral Home in Bloomfield is in charge of arrangements.


Lawrence died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska.


Lawrence Gieselman was born on May 23, 1928, the third of five children of Henry and Clara Gieselman.  He was baptized and confirmed at the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomfield.


Lawrence grew up on the family farm southwest of Bloomfield. In 1935, his father became seriously ill and Lawrence took on a heavy load of the farm responsibilities at an early age. Although he enjoyed school, his parents decided he was needed on the farm full time and would not be able to attend high school. Lawrence’s 13th birthday was his final day of formal education. He also finished the spring plowing the same day.


In 1950, he was asked to play Santa Claus at a country school Christmas program. Through this event, he was introduced to Virginia Kane and they began a courtship. However, this budding relationship was interrupted when Lawrence was drafted into the Army in March 1951.


After basic training in Missouri and diesel mechanic’s school in Washington D.C., he shipped off to Korea in late 1951. He spent 1952 in Korea serving with the Core of Engineers in the “Punch Bowl” area building roads and servicing equipment in support of the combat units. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Later in life Lawrence would comment about his time in the military, “I didn’t want to go, but I’m proud I did.”


He returned to Bloomfield in January 1953 and immediately rekindled his relationship with his sweetheart, Virginia Kane. In May they eloped to Kansas City and were married on May 29, 1953, a marriage that would last 62 years. Lawrence returned to farming and in 1954 the young couple moved to the farm where he had grown up. The farming operation included swine, chickens, shorthorn cattle, and a variety of crops. Lawrence and Virginia raised four children, Warren, Grant, Marlene, and Rod. They faithfully attended the First United Methodist Church in Bloomfield.


In 1967, he became a substitute rural mail carrier which helped supplement the farm income. In 1981, he become a full-time mail carrier and phased out of farming over the next several years. He retired from the Postal Service in 1992.
Lawrence and Virginia enjoyed many years of active retirement. They enjoyed camping, playing cards, and making friends wherever they went. Their travels took them to all 50 states. Lawrence had many hobbies including reading, woodworking, stained glass, and antique cars and tractors.


Lawrence served his community as a member of the American Legion, Co-op Board, Farm Bureau Board, 4-H Leader, and Band Parent.  As a member of the First United Methodist Church Board, he was instrumental in establishing the scholarship fund.


He will be sorely missed by his family. We loved him for his kind heart and patience. We were awed by his brilliance and creativity. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.


Lawrence passed away on April 24, 2019, at the age of 91.


He was preceded in death by wife, Virginia; parents, Henry and Clara Gieselman; sister, Shirley Kumm; sister, Rachel and her husbands, Aaron Mumm and Vernon Carlow; and son-in-law, David Meyer.


Lawrence is survived by son, Warren and wife Tammy; son, Grant and wife JoAnn; daughter, Marlene Welch and husband Peter; son, Rod and wife Debbie; his younger siblings, Richard Gieselman and wife Norma, and Fern Svehla and husband Bob; brother-in-law, Lawrence Kumm; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.


The family recommends that memorials be given to the Bloomfield Veteran’s Memorial, C/O Joe Skrivan, 504 East Bazile Street, Bloomfield, NE 68718.

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