Patrick C. Gatzemeyer

Patrick Carl Gatzemeyer, 72, of Bancroft died Thursday April 7th 2011 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender after a lengthy battle with kidney disease. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bancroft Presbyterian Church in Bancroft with Pastor Charity Potter officiating. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Munderloh Funeral Home in Bancroft. Interment will be in the Bancroft City Cemetery. Patrick was born March 17th 1939 to Lawrence and Hazel (Castor) Gatzemeyer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft. He grew up on a farm near Bancroft and attended country school through 8th grade, then attended high school in Bancroft graduating in 1957. After high school Pat worked various jobs, one even taking him to California and back, until he met and married Erma Holmberg on June 4th, 1960. He took over his Dad’s corn shelling business, and began farming and raising hogs around the Bancroft area. Four sons were born to the couple. He continued farming until retiring and moving to town in 2008. Some of Pat’s favorite hobbies over the years were participating in and watching tractor pulls, watching sports, playing cards and following his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. Survivors include his wife, Erma, son Kent and wife Julee of Des Moines, IA, son Kurt and wife Leslie of Bancroft, son Patrick and wife Colleen of Lincoln and son Brent of Norfolk, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Sister, Myra and husband Kent Bunderson of Craig, Sister Deloise and husband Delwyn Pearson of Oakland, Brother Jim and wife Fran of Omaha, Sister-in-law Janiece Gatzemeyer of Omaha, Brother Dennis and wife Nancy of Bancroft, Brother Gary and Beth Gatzemeyer of Bancroft. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and brother, Loren Gatzemeyer of Omaha.