9/19/1948 – 8/7/2016
Gary was born on September 19, 1948, in Milford. NE. He was adopted by Elmer and Leona (Roberts) Komrofske at 6 months. Becky Lou, an adopted sister, joined the family in 1951. The family resided in Omaha except for a few years when Elmer worked with Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte. Gary was active in Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle Scout status. He attended North High School, played trumpet in the band, and graduated in 1966. He attended UNO for three years and then joined the U.S. Army serving from 1969-1971. He was a medic at Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, and also was a barracks sergeant, receiving the Sp-5 rank. His mother, Leona, passed away in August 1972. His father later married Anne (Pelecky) Steiger.
Through friends and Wakonda Little League where he coached, he met Sally (Hobson) Cook. They were married July 12, 1975 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Benson. At that time, Gary became stepfather to Laurie and Dan Cook. Kristine (Komrofske) Self was born January 6, 1978. Gary worked for a short time at Union Pacific Railroad and then for the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department. He mowed at the parks for several years and did maintenance work. He moved into welding and did that until his retirement in 2005, after 34 years with the Parks and Recreation Dept. He then worked for three years at Warren Swigart Golf course.
Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and working on home improvement projects. He built the deck at the family home and added a room to the family cabin at Ivy Lanes near Mondamin, Iowa, with the help of friends. Most days he could be found tinkering on small engines in the garage, chopping firewood with neighbors, or washing and waxing his Chevy truck.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Leona, stepmother Anne, sister, Becky Riggs, and “furbabies” Roscoe and Moose. He is survived by his wife, Sally, and children Kristine (Curtis) Self, Laurie Cook, and Daniel (Barb) Cook, as well as grandchildren Matt, Zach, Desi, and Demi Cook and granddogs Bo, Gunner and Linus. He will be missed by many friends and family.
Visitation Thursday 5-7 PM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE. Funeral Service Friday (9/12/2016) 11:00 AM at Maplewood United Methodist Church 3535 Maplewood Blvd. Omaha, NE. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park at Omaha, NE. Memorials to Donor’s Choice.
