Guy Bechtel
Guy W Bechtel, 98, of Ogallala, Neb., passed away May 31, 2023, at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Guy was born September 4, 1924, on a farm south of Madrid, Neb., to Howard Elwin and Zata Lenore (Smith) Bechtel. He graduated from Perkins County high school with the class of 1943. Later that same year, Guy entered the U.S. Navy where he served as a hospital corpsman.
On March 4, 1954, Guy married Bonnie Jean Caudy at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ogallala. The couple made their home in Ogallala, where Guy worked as a production foreman at TRW, retiring on his birthday in 1986 after nearly 40 years with the company.
Guy was very active in his community and was truly a statesman. He had a vision and drive to get things done which was part of who he was, even after he went to the assisted living. He had a sharp attention to detail that was matched, perhaps only by his wit.
Guy was a historian and a treasure trove of wisdom. He was gregarious, with a way of connecting with people of all ages that was both unique and endearing.
Guy was a 62-year member of the Elks Lodge #1760. He was a life member of the VFW, a former Ogallala city councilman for several years, and served as council president and mayor from 1984 until 1986. He was the recipient of the “Good Neighbor Award” in 2008, and the Robert Lute Ambassador Award in 2015. There are a lot of wonderful people to meet in this world, but to have known him was to understand that there was only one “Guy.”
Guy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bonnie, in 2014, as well as his siblings Arthur “Art,” Lester “Jack,” Helen Hetrick, Isabel Bolton, and James “Jim.”
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Kerri (Lane) Anderson of Lemoyne, and Terry (Geraldine) Bechtel of Brule. He will also be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Lana Bechtel, Mark (Sherry) Bechtel, Hunter (Trisha) Anderson, Lindsey (Tim) Krab, and his six great-grandchildren, Sydney and Keala Bechtel, Wiley, and Weston Krab, and Everly and Eloise Anderson. Additionally, Guy leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Ogallala Public School Foundation or the Perkins County School Foundation, causes that were close to Guy’s heart.
Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services wasl be streamed live.
Funeral services were Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10 a.m. at New Hope Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Matt Waitley officiating. Interment with military honors by the Keith County Veteran’s Organization was in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation was on Sunday, June 4, at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.