Gerald L. "Jerry" Brauer", 79, of Crete passed away September 18, 2017. Jerry was born July 24, 1938 in Seward, Nebraska, interrupting his mother's birthday party. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Malcolm, Nebraska. Jerry attended country school in Seward County and graduated from Garland High School in 1955. In December of 1955 he joined the Navy and received his honorable discharge in 1957 due to a car accident. He then farmed and worked for Lincoln Electric for many years. Jerry later moved to Palmer, KS where he worked for a farmer and Coop Elevator. In Linn, Kansas is where he met Sharlene and on June 15, 1973. They were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, KS. In 1979 the family moved to Crete where Jerry worked at Alpo until his retirement in 1993. Jerry took up oil painting and then started woodworking, becoming well known for his rocking horses and for many years participated in craft shows. He was a master at Crossword Puzzles, loved reading and watching westerns and was a fan of John Wayne. He liked all sports, never missing a Husker or Denver Broncos football game or Kansas City Royals baseball and WWE. He loved his family, attending family reunions and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great granddaughter. Jerry loved the fact he was married to his wife for 44 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sharlene of Crete; daughters, Holly Lewis and husband David of Martell, Penney Foss and husband Tim of Lincoln, Sheila Brauer of Crete, Tammy Brummond of Omaha; sons, Douglas Brauer and wife Jessica of Silver Spring, MD, Troy Brauer and wife Jody of Crete; 10 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter; sister, Joann Burling of Lincoln; mothers-in-law, Florene Betten of Aurora, Co, Kate Wilkens of Clay Center, KS; sister-in-law, Gen Gatterman and husband Mike of Aurora, CO; brother-in-law, David Betten of San Mateo, CA; sister-in-law, Nancy Lehman of Linn, KS; 4 nieces, 1 nephew, numerous other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hildegarde Brauer; brother-in-law, Larry Burling; fathers-in-law, Emil Wilkens and Leonard Betten

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete with Pastor Ronald Benson officiating. Gerald is cremated there will be no viewing. Military honors will be conducted by the Crete VFW Post 4959 and American Legion Post 147 Honor Guard following the service. Memorials care of the family for future designation. Condolences may be left online at kunclfh.com. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, Nebraska.