ELMA — Gerald “Jerry” Butler, 88, died Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Colonial Manor in Elma.
Memorial services will be held at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomfield, Nebraska, in September. Service dates and times will be announced by the family as they become available.
Born Dec. 4, 1937, in Elk Heart, Kansas, Jerry was the son of Ralph and Pansy “Polly” (Amerine) Butler. He graduated from Climax High School in Climax, Colorado, where he developed a passion for snow skiing and became accomplished enough to earn an opportunity to try out for the U.S. Olympic downhill ski team.
Following high school, Jerry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving two years with the Second Marine Air Wing. His military service introduced him to aviation, setting the course for a career that would define much of his life.
In 1959, Jerry married Betty Chaney in Denver, Colorado. Together they raised two daughters, Lori and Renae.
After leaving the Marines, Jerry earned his pilot’s license and embraced opportunities that took his family to several states as his aviation career advanced.
He flew automotive parts for General Motors and Ford from the Detroit area before accepting a position as a flight instructor in Creighton, Nebraska. During his career, he also worked for the Martin Marietta Company, where he contributed to the design of the Gemini spacecraft program.
Jerry later combined his love of flying with entrepreneurship by becoming an agricultural spray pilot in Bloomfield, Nebraska. He established Butler Flying Service, serving area farmers from the air for many years.
His talents extended well beyond aviation. Jerry also co-owned and operated Tri-Electric, providing residential and commercial electrical work as well as appliance repair. During the off-season, he stayed busy working in custom harvesting operations. After decades in the cockpit, he retired from flying in 1995.
Hard work was one of Jerry’s defining characteristics. Among the accomplishments he was especially proud of was designing and building his own home in Bloomfield during the early 1970s.
When work was finished, Jerry embraced the outdoors. He enjoyed golfing, deer hunting, catfishing, camping and boating, and few things were better than gathering family and friends for a traditional fish fry.
He also treasured evenings spent around the card table, especially playing euchre with a close-knit group of friends whose companionship brought him years of laughter and lasting memories.
Jerry was a member of the El Riad Shriners and the Masonic Lodge.
Above every accomplishment, however, was his devotion to family.
His daughters remained the center of his world, and his granddaughter held an especially cherished place in his heart. Those closest to Jerry remembered a man who would do whatever he could for the people he loved, always putting family and friends ahead of himself.
Jerry is survived by his daughters, Lori (Kevin) Butler and Renae (Kyle) Wedeking; granddaughter Tierney Wedeking; great-grandchildren Preston and Logan Wedeking; sister Ellen “Dee” Tolman; sisters-in-law Suzi Chaney, Gayle Chaney and Debbie Hooten; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; sister Carol Carpenter; and brothers- and sisters-in-law Earl Chaney, Darlene “Dolly” Robinson, Geraldine “Geri” Chaney, James “Jim” Chaney and Dale Chaney.
Lindstrom Funeral Homes is assisting the family. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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