Gerald Fred Sieck, the son of Harold Frederich and Elsie Lena (Meinberg) Sieck, was born at the Seward Hospital in Seward on May 14, 1948, and passed away July 18, 2025, at his home in Tekamah, at the age of 77 years.
Jerry was baptized and confirmed at St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, eight miles southeast of Seward. He grew up on the farm that was homesteaded by his great-grandfather near Pleasant Dale. He attended rural District 64 schools near that farm through eighth grade. He graduated from Malcolm High School with the Class of 1966. His growing-up years were spent on the farm doing whatever work needed to be done, including helping with the large poultry/egg operation or working in the field.
In 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard. In 1970, he made the decision to join the Nebraska State Patrol. He had a very successful career as a well-respected trooper and retired at the rank of sergeant in 2007 after 37 years of service.
On Dec, 27, 1975, he married Roberta Cooper at Trinity Lutheran Church in Decatur. They lived in Oakland for 40 years. Jerry was involved in many youth organizations in church and Jobs Daughters at the local and state level. Jerry joined several Masonic lodges in Nebraska and Maui, Hawaii. Jerry was a member of the Oakland Craig School Board for 20 years.
After retirement from the state patrol, Jerry worked at the Oakland Golf Course for seven years until Jerry and Berta decided to start a new adventure in Maui, where they lived for 10 years. Jerry enjoyed working on the Maui Nui Golf Course, volunteering for the Sentry Golf Tournament at Kapalua, and as a volunteer for the church and Kihei Youth Center. While in Hawaii, Jerry and Berta were blessed with an adopted Hanai family, Tyler, Jess, Hudson, Enzo and Saylor McClain, who filled their life with many adventures.
His cooking and baking talents were well known among his family and friends in Nebraska, and orange rolls were a specialty, and many friends were blessed when he shared those in Hawaii – as he often did.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Elsie; his parents-in-law, Jim and Mildred Cooper; his brother, Roger, in 1992; his sister, Barbara Vert, in 2020; and his brother-in-law, James Cooper, Jr., in 1971
He is survived by his wife, Roberta of Tekamah; daughter, Heidi; brother, Tom (JoAnn) Sieck of Pleasant Dale; sister, Annette (Randy) Tweton of Lincoln; brothers-in law, David Cooper and Scott Steen of Virginia and Robert Cooper (Billie) of Plattsmouth, Frank Vert, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland. Burial with state patrol honors will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery at Decatur. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Burt County Food Bank or the Kihei Lutheran Church Food Bank.
Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland.
