Kenneth William Strey, 80, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. His funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Mitchell Federated Church with Pastor Dale Brown & Pastor Kevin Fink officiating. Interment will follow at Mitchell City Cemetery. The visitation will be one hour before the service time at the church at 9 a.m. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s honor be made in the care of his family to be designated at a later time. Online condolences may be made by viewing Ken’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Ken was born in Scottsbluff, NE on March 20, 1944, to Bill WC Strey & Helen (Reed) Strey. After graduating from Mitchell High School, he married his high-school sweetheart Sandra Dokken. They moved to Lincoln, NE to attend the University of Nebraska for a year before returning to help on the family farm north of Mitchell, NE. After farming, Ken worked as manager for Alexander’s Groceries in Scottsbluff then upfront store manager for Baily’s Town & Country in Scottsbluff. He loved working with the high school kids and seeing the people from town. After Baily’s Town & Country, he worked for Sandberg Implement in Gering as parts manager and then moved into equipment sales. He worked at Sandberg’s for 28 years until he retired in 2011.
Ken was married to Sandra for 62 years until his passing. They were blessed with two daughters and one son. He was involved with 4-H, Mitchell School Board for 8 years, Scouting, Wildcat Hills SID-10, Roosevelt Public Power District, and an active life-long member of the Federated Church.
Ken is survived by his wife Sandra; sister Dee (Strey) Miller of Omaha, NE; daughters Shelley (Tom) Rowlee of Gering, NE, Shannon (Kelly) Brunner of Scottsbluff, NE, son Kelly (Tammy) Strey of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren, T.J. Rowlee (Amanda), Shurell (Jared) Mize, Stephanie (Chad) Keller, Brandi Brunner, Samantha (Sean) Williams, Tyler Brunner, Trevor Brunner, Kellian Strey, Ethan Strey; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Ken was proceeded in death by his parents Bill and Helen Strey of Mitchell, NE; in-laws Chet and Evelyn Dokken of Sun City, AZ and brother-in-law Gene Miller