Arlen "Gib" Gibbens

Arlen "Gib" Leroy Gibbens, 90, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died December 16, 2021 at his home in Gothenburg.

He was born May 13, 1931 at his grandparents’ farmhouse in the Dry Valley Community south of Sargent, NE, son of Archie and Nellie Mabel (Ackerman) Gibbens. Arlen and his family lived on various farms including his favorite the sod house.  He went to school in the Dry Valley community school until the 10th grade.  Arlen then attended Sargent High school graduating in 1949.  He went directly into the National Guard after graduation and served until 1951.  He joined the Marine Corp on May 13, 1952 and was Honorably Discharged on May 12, 1954. During his service he went to Korea and served in the Korean War.  During his service he went to Korea and served in the Korean War.

After serving his country Arlen came back to the Broken Bow/Sargent area and started working construction.  He was employed by National Construction from 1957- 1965, also worked for Paulsen Inc. from 1965 and retired in 1993.  After retirement he worked for Paulsen Development in 1993 until his 2nd retirement in 2000.  Arlen did not know how to retire, he then he started his own business "Gibs Consulting” in 2000.  Up to his last moments on earth he was still consulting his son Tim’s construction business.

Arlen met Verda Replogle in 1958 and were married two years later on July 17, 1960 in Sargent. They made their home in Kearney for six years. Arlen and Verda moved to Cozad in 1966 where they lived for 51 years. To this union, four children were born - Tom, Pam, Tim, and Jennifer.  Prior to Verda’s death they moved to Gothenburg where he lived until his passing.  Arlen was a current member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Gothenburg, NE.

Survivors include his children Tom (Denise) Gibbens of Cozad, Pam (Tom) Laird of Cozad, Tim (Becky) Gibbens of Gothenburg, Jennifer (Shannon) Poggendorf of Kearney; 8 grandchildren;  2 great grandchildren; 2 sisters Janeane Gibbens of Sargent NE, Shirley Young of Taylor NE, and a brother Danny Gibbens of Sargent NE, along with many extended family and friends.

Arlen was preceded in death by wife, Verda M. Gibbens, his parents and a brother.

Arlen grew up farming with horses and never lost his love for them and other animals.  He also enjoyed construction, wood working, tinkering on engines, neighborhood events, hunting, traveling, and camping.  He was never afraid to tear something apart to try to fix it and he usually could fix anything.  He always looked forward to and attended as many as he could, his kids and grandkids sporting events, music concerts, fairs, and horse shows.  Arlen was active member at the American Lutheran Church in Cozad for many years and was voted in as a Council member of the City of Cozad from 1996 to 2007.

Register Book will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Dec. 29, 2021 1:00-7:00 pm with the family present from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gothenburg, NE , December 30, 2021 at 11:30 am.

Burial will be held December 30, 2021 at 10:00 am in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Wreathes across America.