On Friday, September 18, 2020, Gaylen Joie Sysel, passed away of a sudden heart attack at the age of 56. He was the son of Joie J. and Norma M. (Kotas) Sysel born on October 14, 1963 at the Friend Hospital.  He grew up on a farm south of Dorchester and attended Dorchester School. He played in the marching band. He was an active 4-H member, loved animals and gardening. He received a degree in horticulture from Doane College and started working at Campbells Nursery in Lincoln, NE and at present time was employed at Merles Greenhouse of Seward, NE. At Campbells he grew plants from seeds or clippings. He had a love/hate relationship with poinsettias, but they were always beautiful! He was united in marriage to Laura J. Gradwohl Looper (and her two daughters) on March 11, 2000 at the Dorchester United Methodist Church. To this union, a son, Tyler Joie Sysel was born. He was an active member of Tabor Lodge #74, currently serving his 2 ^nd term as president. He also served as treasurer. He was proud of his Czech heritage and looked forward to Czech days every year. He loved his pork, kraut, dumplings and kolaches. Apricot was his favorite. He knew he could always get his favorite meal cooked by his aunts at Christmas and Czech Days. He loved his polka music and played bass in a polka band. Gaylen was always working on a project around the house and Menards was his second home.  He also loved all those rebate items!  His love of animals was obvious. He took in stray animals and made sure Tyler had animals to show for the fair. He loved the Clydesdale horses and several of our vacations were going to see the horses or to get special Budweiser steins and have the artist sign them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joie & Norma, grandparents: Edward & Marie (Novy) Kotas, Eman & Mary (Kohout) Sysel, his father in law, John O. Gradwohl, aunts & uncles: Darlene Kasl, Richard Stehlik, Irvin Karpisek, Eman & Alice Sysel, Edward Sysel. Survivors include wife, Laura, son, Tyler, stepdaughters: Jessica Looper & Nathan Reisdorff, Ashley Looper & Mark Francis, grandchildren: Kennedy, Owen, & Ryker. Mother in law, Marceil (Burry) Gradwohl, sisters in law: Cheryl Brown, Kathy (Jim) Dice, Andrea Cassutt, Brothers in law: Steve (Karen) Gradwohl, Ken (Kim) Gradwohl, aunts and uncle: Ella Karpisek, Shirley Znamenacek, Marlene Stehlik, Ed (Linda) Kotas, many cousins and friends and bonus sister, Sherry (Nancy) Eman. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Tabor Lodge, Humane Society, or Tyler's college fund. Services will be on Thursday, 10:30 AM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete (masks are recommended but not required).  Public visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 – 7 PM (family will not be present).