

Gary Varvel, 69, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on October 8, 2018. He was born May 3, 1949, in Gordon, NE to Elvera (Rasmussen) and James Varvel. During his younger years on the farm, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding horses. He married Bonnie O’Meara in 1974 in Kearney, NE. Soon after, he received his PhD in agronomy and the couple moved to Crookston, MN to work at the UN of Minnesota Experiment Station. In 1983, Gary returned to work at the USDA Agricultural Research Service on East Campus at UNL. During his 39 years in agricultural research, he received a designation of Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America. After retiring from his job in 2014, Gary could often be seen attending his grandkids soccer games and dance recitals, doing puzzles of all kinds, gardening, playing golf, and traveling. Gary and Bonnie traveled to several places, the favorite ones being Ireland and Italy.He is survived by wife, Bonnie; daughter, Tricia (Patrick) Miller; daughter, Katie Varvel; grandchildren, Alaina and Nathan; his mother, Elvera Varvel; brothers, George (Trudy) and Bryan (Karen) Varvel, and sister, Shirley Morava. Also surviving him are several sisters and brothers-in-law and over 30 nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at First Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street on October 13, 2018 at 11:00am with a reception to follow. Graveside Service at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6700 S. 14th Street at 2:00pm (meet at Gate 2). The Reverend Barbara Smisek will be officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the donor’s choice. Condolences:lincolnfh.com
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