Dean Kugler

Dean Kugler, 88 passed away on October 25, 2021 at his home in Gothenburg.

Dean was born November 15, 1932 in Wellfleet, NE, son of Ernest Elmer and Martha Emma( Koch) Kugler.  His family included his older brother Gordon, younger sister Mary Ann and youngest brother Don.  The family moved to Wheatridge, CO when Dean was 12 years old. After graduating from high school in Colorado, he continued his education and graduated with a bachelors degree in Animal Husbandry from Colorado State University.

Dean proudly served his country in the Korean War.  Dean married  Karen J. Sorensen on July 9, 1955 in Lakewood, CO, and to this union they had three children; Tim, Cindy and Connie. They lived in Fort Collins, CO,  before moving to Wray, CO in January 1957 where Dean started his long banking career.  In May 1966 Dean moved his family to Gothenburg, NE beginning his career with Gothenburg State Bank.   He enjoyed helping people reach their dreams working in the banks in Wray, CO, Gothenburg, Springfield, North Platte and Sidney.  After retiring from banking, he enjoyed two careers helping others in Insurance and Real Estate both in North Platte and Gothenburg.  His final career was spent helping the people and communities in Dawson County as a County Commissioner.

Dean's life was a true example of leading by his beliefs of faith, family and community.  He was always contributing by being on Church committees, Community Committees, and Gothenburg Hospital organizations; including the Lions Club, Legion Club, Nebraska Bankers Association, Gothenburg Wrestling, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Community Building Board, Airport Authority, Gothenburg Improvement, County Commissioners, Dawson Area Development, Nebraska Land Days Board of Directors, and  manager of Kugler Land Co.

As a family man, they enjoyed many trips, being active in Boy Scouts, and spending many days at the lake boating. He enjoyed belonging to dance clubs and other social events with friends, that blessed his life.  He enjoyed traveling with friends and family on cruises to Europe, China, and most states in the USA, his atlas was always close by.  Dean loved the family gatherings to make "Kugler" sausage.  After Karen's death in 1998 he was grateful for his good friend and partner Bobbi Larson and family.   You could always count on Dean's humor to get a good joke on any day.

Survivors include son, Timothy (Mary) Kugler of Casper, WY; two daughters, Cindy Kugler of Lincoln, Connie Jenner of Cozad;  two brothers, Gordon (Jan) Kugler of San Diego, CA, Don (Judy) Kugler of Wheatridge, CO; grandchildren, two granddaughters, Anne Wasserburger, Katie Daigle; four grandsons, Jake Kugler, Scott Kugler, Matt Korinek, Zack Jenner, and 13 great grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, infant Son Kugler, his parents, and sister, Mary Ann Holowczak, and good companion Bobbi Larson.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Friday, November 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Jeff Cottingham officiating.  Masks are recommended.
The service will be live streamed and may be found on Dean's Obituary page at www.blasestrauser.com or on the Trinity Lutheran Church website.

Inurnment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2002 27th Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or Gothenburg Senior Center, 410 20th Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.