On August 2, 2024, The Lord chose to take into his fold loving husband and father, Gilbert Guerrero. Surrounded by his wife and children, Gilbert was freed from his years-long battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1345 18th Street, Gering, Nebraska, with Fr. Mike McDonald as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 4109 5th Avenue in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The United States Army and Gering American Legion Post 36 Honor Guard will provide military honors. A reception will follow at Christ the King Church. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church. Memorials may be made directly to Christ the King Catholic Church. The Mass will be live-streamed and recorded to Gilbert’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Born on February 16, 1948, to parents, Ignacio and Guadalupe Guerrero, Gilbert was one of eleven siblings. The family, of meager means, grew up in a small house in Scottsbluff. Although the family home was small in space, it was overflowing with love and faith.
After graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 1967, Gilbert chose to forgo higher education deciding instead to enlist in the Army in 1968. He proudly served his country until 1971. While in the Army, Gilbert was afforded the opportunity to travel the world spending time in Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
Gilbert promptly began looking for employment upon returning to the U.S. He was hired by what was then United Telephone, which would eventually become CenturyLink in 1971. He began his career as a supply warehouseman, eventually leading to a position as a linesman and repair technician.
He met his future wife, Monica Gollas, also in 1971. The pair enjoyed a traditional courtship, often going on dates with one of Monica’s younger siblings in tow. The couple was married on April 28, 1974. Five years later on April 22, 1979, Gilbert and Monica’s first son, Ryan arrived. Five years after that, on June 4, 1984, their only daughter, Celena, was born. Having been born prematurely, Celena was called to Heaven just a few short weeks later. Two years after, the family would grow in size by one more when on May 15, 1986, the couple’s second son, Jeremy, was born.
Gilbert retired from the phone company after 44 years of service in 2015. After his retirement Gilbert, an avid coffee drinker, could be found in local bakeries and his local McDonalds having a cup and chatting with friends. Gil, as he was known to his friends and acquaintances, was a top-notch conversationalist with an engaging smile and boisterous laugh. There were few establishments in town where he didn’t know at least one person who he could shoot the breeze with to pass some time. Gilbert was a loving family man and enjoyed nothing more than talking to his sons and daughter-in-law Johanna, and spending time with his grandson, Isaac.
Gilbert was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2016. The news of his illness only strengthened his faith in God. He believed The Lord gave him all the strength he needed to fight the disease. Gilbert gave a valiant effort and fought the cancer for the next eight years, far surpassing his doctors’ expectations. The Guerreros would like to thank Gilbert’s medical team and Brookstone Home Health and Hospice of Gering. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to caregivers, Sativa Mullins and Elana Sanchez, their compassion and unwavering dedication to Gilbert’s comfort are appreciated by the family more than words can convey.
Gilbert is survived by his wife of 50 years, Monica; sons, Ryan (Johanna) and Jeremy; grandson, Isaac; siblings, Rudy, Danny, Ray, Roy, Josie, Janice, Olivia, and Lisa; as well as a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignacio and Guadalupe; brothers, Albert and Jesse; nephews, Richardo and Andy; infant daughter, Celena; in-laws, Frank and Emma Gollas; and brothers-in-law, James Fuentes and John Saldivar.