Gaylen E. Bierschenk
NORFOLK — Gaylen E. Bierschenk, 72, Randolph, died Nov. 18, 2020, at his home in rural Randolph.
Visitation was Sunday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel, Norfolk.
Services were Nov. 23, at Stonacek Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Trudy Powell officiated, with Military rites conducted by U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, American Legion Post 16 and VFW Post 1644 in the parking lot of the chapel prior to departing for the Randolph City Cemetery, Randolph.
Casketbearers were Seth Valverde, Keenan Valverde, Dustin Louthan, Allan Louthan, Jake Goeschel and J.J. Snodgrass.
Masks were required for the visitation and funeral.
The service was also streamed live on the Stonacek Funeral Chapel Facebook page.
Gaylen Edward Bierschenk was born Jan. 15, 1948, in Randolph, to Alfred “Short” Carl and Lorraine Mae (Hokamp) Bierschenk. He was baptized March 14, 1945, and confirmed in May 1962, both at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Randolph. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force from Nov. 8, 1966, to Nov. 6, 1970. He earned an associate degree in auto mechanics at Northeast Community College, Norfolk, in 1973.
He married Jean Huwaldt May 15, 1971, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Randolph. The couple lived in Pierce. They then moved to Norfolk for 14 years. Gaylen worked at Coca-Cola in Norfolk. Gaylen then worked for Dale Electronics for 24 years. The family moved to Randolph in June 1988. Gaylen later on worked at Helena Chemical and Porter Construction, retiring in 2013.
Gaylen enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, the family cow/calf operation, John Deere tractors, socializing, playing horseshoes and target shooting. He also loved hunting, especially deer hunting with his family and friends over the years.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Randolph, and American Legion Post 16 and was a life member of VFW Post 1644.
Survivors include his spouse, Jean (Huwaldt) Bierschenk, Randolph; a daughter, Wendi (Blacey) Bennett, Pierce; five grandchildren, Seth, Grace, Keenan, Casen and Kinley; and sisters, Kathy Snodgrass, Norfolk, and Marsha (Jim) Louthan, Stanton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Lorraine; a son, Shawn; his sisters, Colleen Weber and Cindy Goeschel-Pospisil; and brothers-in-law, Lowell Weber, Bob Goeschel, Larry Pospisil and Bob Snodgrass.