Gilbert H. Koelzer, 79, of Baileyville, died on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Gilbert was born on October 14, 1937, in Axtell, to Allie J. and Irene J. Hammes Koelzer.

He grew up in the Baileyville community and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1955. After graduation, he worked at the Conoco Station in Baileyville before entering the U.S. Army on September 21, 1956. He spent 18 months in Germany near Frankfort and Stuttgart. He received an honorable discharge on September 12, 1958. He returned home and worked on the construction of US 36 highway until he started farming.

Gilbert married Mary Lou Mulyran on June 11, 1959 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The couple made their home on a farm north of Baileyville, where they farmed and raised their six children.

Gilbert was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Board of Directors of the Nemaha County Coop, Sacred Heart Parish Council, and coached boys summer league baseball for nine years.

Gilbert enjoyed watching his children and his grandchildren in their sports and other events. He also enjoyed a good game of cards and fishing.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Richard Koelzer on May 6, 1947 and Elmer Koelzer on July 1, 2011; and five sisters, Mildred Stallbaumer on August 31, 2006, Evelyn Heiman on December 22, 2001, Leona Bergman on July 12, 2015, Marceil Haverkamp on March 18, 1998 and Eileen Koelzer on July 2, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; a son Ed Koelzer of Lincoln, Nebraska; five daughters, Deb (John) Bergman of St. Benedict, Janet Reinecke of Huntersville, North Carolina, Laurie (Randy) Deters of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jacque (Dale) Stallbaumer of Sabetha and Carla (Chris) Stauffer of Kansas City, Missouri; his brother, Regis Koelzer of Axtell; sisters, LaVerne Uphaus of Topeka and Audrey Mueting of Seneca; and 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 and 7 P.M. on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at Sacred Heart’s Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

Memorials are to be designated at a later date, and sent in care of the family.