Claudia Gelster, age 70, of West Point, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at CHI Health Lakeside Hospital in Omaha. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Rev. James Weeder as celebrant. Burial will be at a later date. Lunch will be at the GACC Cafeteria following the services. Visitation will be Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at Stokely Funeral Home. Family will be present at visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the GACC Endowment or Relay for Life. Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.
Claudia Jean Gelster was born on May 23, 1951 to Ernest and Evelyn (Paden) Vesely in West Point. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from Dodge Public High School in 1970. Claudia went to Bahner’s Beauty School and worked as a beautician for a few years. On June 10, 1972, Claudia married Fred Gelster at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge. After living in Dodge for 20 years, the couple moved to West Point. Claudia worked as Certified Nursing Aide at Colonial Haven in Beemer for 15 years before finishing her career at Good Samaritan Home in Scribner.
Claudia was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Guild. Her ancestors came over to America on the Mayflower and she was a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Fred and Claudia enjoyed many outings as a couple. When they weren’t traveling, they could be found dancing, going out to eat, or watching a movie. Claudia was an avid reader and bowler and never missed an opportunity to write someone a letter. She was a very faith filled woman and loved spending time with her grandchildren
Survivors include her husband, Fred, of West Point; children Nicole Watson of West Point and Brian (Jennifer) of Marshall, MN; grandchildren, Justin and Kaitlyn Watson, and Jason Gelster, Alainna (Dallas) Rohlik, Rebecca Gelster, and Allison Gelster; and sister Dona (Ron) Drohman.
She is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Fred and Dorothy Gelster; and brother, Robert Vesely.