Johnny L. Sterkel, age 74, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away on April 20, 2023, at Regional
West Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held on
Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Gering Zion Church with Pastor Tim Hebbert
officiating. Inurnment will be at West Lawn Cemetery. Fond memories and condolences for the
family may be left at www.geringchapel.com and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be
made to the family for designation at a later date.
Johnny was born on November 6, 1948 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to John and Dorothy (Troudt)
Sterkel. He received his early education in Gering, graduating from Gering High School. He
married Cheryl Moore on October 28, 1967 at Four Square Church in Scottsbluff, where they
made their home until Johnny went into the army. He served in Vietnam and was awarded many
honors for his service, being honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant at Ft. Lewis
Washington. He and Cheryl moved to Shirley Basin, Wyoming, where he ran heavy equipment
for the uranium mines. They then moved to McGrew, Nebraska, where Johnny worked for 30+
years for Scotts Bluff County operating heavy machinery.
In his free time, Johnny loved woodworking, fishing, and camping. His passion for horses was a
love he would be able to pass on to his daughter, Denise. Family was the most important thing in
his life, from his loving wife of 55 years to his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. They were
his proudest achievement. He was hardworking, so that they would always be provided for, and
so that they could take memorable family vacations. One of his favorite places to travel was
Texas. He was physically strong, and never stopped moving, which helped his work ethic also.
As a lover of practical jokes, he would play hide and seek with the grandkids, so that he could
put on a mask and scare them. Those grandkids and great-grandkids had him wrapped around
their finger, because he never said no, and always gave snacks to them. He was a great man who
will be truly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; children, Denise (Dean) Sterkel Sauer, James Sterkel, and
John Sterkel; grandchildren, Jocilyn (Chance) Hall, Brittany Sauer, Henry Piña, Brooklyn (Jeff)
Schmidt, and Jonathan Sterkel; great-grandchildren, Waelyn, Gyten, Cantyn, and Bristol Hall,
Arizona Sauer, and Bucklee and Bentlee Schmidt; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; sister, Sandy Streeks and Kathy
Kuhlman; and a nephew, Vince Streeks.
Johnny L. Sterkel, 74, Gering
