Gerald E. Mach

Gerald E. Mach

September 11, 1925 – December 10, 2022

 VISITATION: Wednesday, December 14^th, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, December 15^th, at 11am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4810 Woolworth Ave.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

Gerald Elmer Mach was born on September 11, 1925, to Edward and Tillie Mach, in Prague, NE. Jerry and his brothers and sister, George, Marge, and Rod, were a close family. For several years they lived on a farm in Wahoo. Jerry and his siblings struck up a friendship with the family that lived on the neighboring farm. While there were other children in that family, even at his young age, he formed a particularly close friendship with one of the girls, Eleanor Berg. They would spend hours playing hide and seek in the barns, riding the coaster wagon down the hill between the farms (sledding that same hill in the winter), and just talking. In 5^th grade, Jerry’s family moved to Omaha. And while many miles and years would pass before they would see each other again, Jerry never forgot about Eleanor.

As a teenager, he joined the Army, serving in Europe during World War II as a mechanic. His years of service had him traveling throughout Europe. He told of the time when he was in Italy with some of his buddies. One night, they illegally climbed up the outside of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and rang the bell, running away as fast as they could before the police arrived!

After the war, he told his father how he had plans to find Eleanor and marry her. What he did not know was that at that time, Eleanor was already engaged to be married to her college boyfriend. However, just a short time later, he had a chance to meet with her while strolling down the street in Wahoo. The two of them spent all evening talking. And while neither of them would tell what they talked about that night, whatever it was, it was enough for Eleanor to go home the following week, call off her wedding (which was just weeks away) and move to Omaha (which was where Jerry was living at the time).

Just a year later, Jerry and Eleanor were married on September 15, 1948. Jerry worked as a welder for nearly 20 years at Modern Equipment. After that, he worked as the Equipment Manager for Nogg Brothers Paper Company. He and Eleanor raised their four children: Evelyn, Steve, Rick, and Chris. Their home was filled with love, laughter, and prayer. Each night would find them kneeling at their bedside praying. They passed this love, respect, and devotion to God to their children.

As their children grew and married, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were welcomed into the family. In retirement, he and Eleanor loved traveling together, especially taking cruises with the family. Their greatest joy in life was their family. Never missing celebrating holidays together, birthday parties, or school programs. He would tell his children and grandchildren that he had “lived a great life.”

Everyone knows Jerry’s greatest love in life was his wife, Eleanor. His life was a testimony to his love and commitment to her and their family. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will cherish our memories of them in our hearts. Seeing them together – always smiling, always holding hands.