LaVern Gene Priest

LaVern Gene Priest was born Feb. 28, 1936 in Wallace, Nebraska to William Eugene and Marie Bernadine (Kerchal) Priest. He peacefully passed away Sept. 23, 2018 at his home with family by his side. LaVern was 82 years of age.
When LaVern was six years old, his family moved to Hamlet where he attended grade school. He began high school in Wauneta and graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln. After high school, he attended the University of Nebraska for Business Administration.
LaVern served a short term with the U.S. Navy then returned to the Hamlet area and worked construction with his two brothers, Frank and Don. During a construction job in Grant, he met Karen Lea Schilling. LaVern and Karen were married on March 7, 1955 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Platte. In July 1957, the couple moved to Lincoln and made their home. LaVern and Karen were blessed with 63 years of marriage and from this union came three wonderful children, Alan LaVern, Brenda Lynn and Jacklynn Marie.
LaVern was self-employed with Crest Oil Company in Lincoln from 1957 to 1979, then managed the Selleck Quad Housing at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, retiring in 1999.
LaVern is survived by his wife, Karen; son Alan (Alexia) Priest; daughters Brenda Sanchez and Jacklynn Priest; grandchildren Brandon Priest, Tyson (Nicole) Priest; great-grandchildren Alexis, Jacey, Delaney, Kinsley and Nathan Priest and Debbie Krula; sister Vivian Todd of Imperial; sister-in-law Marilyn (Priest) Walker of Ogallala; and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Frank and Don, sisters Clara (Dale) Farmer and Della (Frank) Buczek and brother-in-law Bud Todd.
LaVern found the love of Christ later in life and shared the joy with all he met. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Graveside and inurnment services were held Oct. 4 at the Lincoln Memorial Park with military honors.