GARY KABERNA

Gary was born to Wesley J. Kaberna and DeElda A. (Newman) Kaberna on June 26, 1940, in Wagner. He attended country schools and graduated from Wagner High School. He attended a semester at South Dakota State in Brookings, before returning to the family farm. At age 25, Gary moved to Nemo, to work at the Nemo Guest Ranch for Uncle Frank Troxell, where he began his cowboy ways.

Gary was one that always enjoyed trying his hand at different things, and drove truck hauling cattle while he ran the dude string in Nemo. Nemo is where Gary would enjoy the rest of his life. He married local, Jackie Hageman, in 1968. In 1972, Gary started working for Carter Elevator Construction out of Rapid City, and would not retire until 2002. In 1977, Jackie and Gary divorced. Gary stayed in Nemo on what is now his family farm. Jackie moved to Rushville, NE, and continued to be a big part of Gary’s life.

While continuing to be a big part of the Nemo Guest Ranch, he met Jan G. Goodsell. Jan and Gary married in 1979 and would have two kids together, Shad and Nikki. In 1984, Gary finally got to purchase his Nemo home and small ranch, and began his hobby of raising cattle. He and Jan raised their two kids in Nemo, where both attended the Nemo Community School, and later graduated from Lead High School. Son, Shad C., now lives in Columbus, OH, with his partner, Rona. Nikki Rae married husband, Chris Kuemper, in 2013 and they reside on the Kaberna family farm in Wagner. The light in his eyes were his two grandchildren, Creighton Lane and Tinlye Dee. He always loved going back to the family farm in Wagner and helping his brother, Curt, with planting and harvesting.

Gary has enjoyed many adventures in life, from raising cattle and pigs, farming and being a great electrician, to running two business on his Nemo home. Gary’s other love was getting to grow up an avid hunter of pheasants and deer, and enjoyed guiding. He will be remembered for his great storytelling and for being a wonderful BS-er. Gary could fix anything that was broken, and will always be known by all for his tinkering and for enjoying time with his four-legged kids, Cino, Pumpkin, Bailin, and Titty.

Gary Grant Kaberna, 79, Nemo, died Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Jan G. (Goodsell) Kaberna of Nemo; brother, Curt of Wagner; son, Shad C. (Rona), of Columbus, OH; daughter, Nikki (Chris), of Wagner; two grandbabies, Creighton and Tinlye of Wagner; and numerous cousins and extended family.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Wes and DeElda; grandson, Korbyn; and his father and mother-in-law, Carol and Juanita Goodsell.

No services are planned at this time, but a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Condolences may be mailed to PO Box 102, Nemo, SD 57759.