Gary Lee Lute

Gary Lee Lute, age 91 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Thursday December 18, 2025 at his residence.

Funeral services will be on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Community Church in Laurel with the Rev. Chris Clinchard officiating. Burial will be at the Laurel Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday morning, at church, from 9-11:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

Gary Lee Lute was born on December 5, 1934 to Bert and Florence (Danielson) Lute in a small house on the corner of 3rd and Elm Street in Laurel, Nebraska. He attended elementary school at rural schools in the Laurel area and began his high school education as an extremely shy freshman at Laurel Public School. He graduated in 1952.

After graduation he drove truck for Vorice Nelson and also helped do construction in the Randolph and Coleridge area. As he would drive through those communities, he could point out the homes or schools that he proudly helped build. He later started farming with his father and later on his own. He met his wife, Roberta Jean Wilcox, on a blind date at the Wayne County Fair, and they were later married on June 14, 1959 at Fairview Methodist Church in rural Madison County. Gary and Roberta started their married life on a farm 5 miles south of Laurel. In 1962, they purchased and moved to a farm 3 miles west of Laurel where they resided and tended the land with loving care for 43 years. Gary never desired more but believed in taking great care of the land that provided everything he needed. It was on this farm they raised their 4 children. In 2004, Gary and Roberta moved to a home in Laurel where he proudly lived until his last breath on December 18, 2025. Gary's wife Roberta died on September 11, 2021 at the age of 84 years.

Gary loved his old International Harvester tractors and had to build a shed in his back yard to house them. Each tractor had great meaning to him. One tractor that he bought new during his younger years of farming, he was able to repurchase and have restored years later. Gary may have started out as a shy young man but most will remember him as a kind, patient man who loved to visit with anyone. His classmates were often amazed that he was the one who would organize class reunions and be the one to stand up and welcome everyone. He loved to talk farming with anyone and could tell you the exact years that were good years and which years were dry years. He enjoyed playing cards with the guys in the afternoons, with the Norfolk gang monthly, and with the girls on Friday nights. He also loved to socialize at the Senior Citizens Center in Laurel until he was unable to get there on his own. Gary spent many hours putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles and would often comment on how difficult the puzzle was but never put one away until it was finished. He would never dismantle a puzzle until a picture was taken of it. He also enjoyed gardening, planting and tending his flowers, taking care of his own lawn. Gary enjoyed watching volleyball, football, and basketball especially if his children or grandchildren were participating. He also enjoyed watching those sports on television along with the rodeo channel. In his younger years he enjoyed golfing and bowling.

Gary held many offices in the Laurel Methodist Church where he received his 50 year membership in 2010. He later proudly joined his church family in becoming Faith Community Church. He could be seen at church weekly in his backrow seat until the decline of his mobility. In his younger years, he was a longtime board member of the Laurel Summer Rec program, Cedarview Country Club Board of Directors, and was one of the first board members of the Laurel Teammates organization..

Gary is survived by his 4 children: Doug Lute of Randolph, Nancy (Joe) Olsen of Missouri, Jean Granquist, and Mark (Misti) Lute all of Laurel ;grandchildren: Sami (Kurt) Harris of Washington, Mallorie (Chad) Koch of Laurel, Nate (Kayla) Granquist of Dover, Minnesota, Sydnei Olsen of Chicago,Illinois, Marissa Lute of Wichita, Kansas, Cassie Granquist of Norfolk and Sadie and Zander Lute of Laurel. He also boasts 8 great- grandchildren with the 8th one being born the day before he passed away. They include: Crew, Kella, Kenlee, Corbet, and Callen Koch, and Lennon, Noa, and Lonnie Granquist; sisters Valieda Burns and Diane Wubben, brothers-in-law Borge Kastrup and Rodney (Jean) Wilcox; many nieces and nephews.

Gary was welcomed into heaven by his loving wife, Roberta; twin infant sons; son-in-law, Mike Granquist; sister Carol Kastrup; brothers-in-law Gene Burn and Danny Wubben; sisters-in-law Delores Wilcox, Evelyn Fuller, and Penny Wilcox.