Bob Gestwite

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow. Memorials are suggested to the Family for future designation. A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Monday, March 24th, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Govier Brother Mortuary. Govier Brother Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of encouragement may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.

Robert Lee Gestwite (“Bob”), age 81, passed away on March 19, 2025, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow, NE. He was born December 7, 1943, in Broken Bow, NE to James Clarence and Betty Jean (Warner) Gestwite. He attended school in Broken Bow until 3rd grade when his family moved to Omaha. The summer before his junior year, he moved back to Ansley and attended school there.

Bob married Mary Ellen Boyles on January 15, 1963, and they were married sixty-two years. Two children were born to this union, Tim and Brad. Bob worked at Safeway as a meat cutter. When the children were little, the family moved to Mission, SD. There, Bob managed the meat counter at the Abourezk’s Store. Bob and the family returned to Ansley as Bob’s Grandma Gestwite needed help on her farm south of Berwyn.

Bob worked hard to support his family. He worked for Smith Construction in Ansley, Sargent Pipe in Broken Bow and Thomas Livestock by Cumro for many years as a mill operator. Bob was also a natural carpenter and enjoyed building and helping his family with renovation projects. He enjoyed attending his granddaughter’s sport events, not only for the girls, but for the hot dogs.

Bob was an avid gun enthusiast and loved to hunt and shoot. He joined the IHMSA silhouette shooting club. Soon after, Mary joined him and together they traveled to South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and places around Nebraska for competition. At many of these, one, or both, usually brought home an award. Bob also enjoyed loading his own brass, which occupied him for hours

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary, son Tim (Donelle), their children Jessica (Daniel) O’Brien and Melissa (Nate) Slagle, son Brad (Jennifer), their daughter, Sydney and his six great-grandchildren, Isaac, Stetson and Finleigh O’Brien and Gavin, Case and Paxton Slagle all of Ansley, NE. He is also survived by his sister Susie (Dave) Armstrong of Phoenix, AZ and sister-in-law Rosie Boyles of Thorton, CO.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Clarence Gestwite and Betty Jean Mayabb, his grandparents, Sam and Bertha Gestwite, in-laws Harry and Eva Boyles, Mary’s brothers and their wives, Harry Ray (Gretchen) Boyles and Francis (Lynda) Anderson Mary’s sister and her husband Edna “Bertie” (Leo) Holley, brother-in-law Richard Boyles and three great nephews.