Rollo E Gass Obituary (1925

Rollo Elliott Gass, 89, of Edgar, NE joined his heavenly family on Thursday, July 3, 2014. Rollo was born on February 1, 1925, to Fred and Vina (Woods) Gass, at a farm near Edgar. He attended a one-room country school until a family move necessitated a transfer to town school. While in high school he participated in debate, was an orator and a champion boxer. Rollo was a lifelong resident of Edgar. In 1950 he married Doris (Salyard), of Hardy, NE. Rollo was proud to be a Master Mason. In 2010, he earned the Bronze Jordan Medal as the oldest Master Mason in the Nelson Lodge. Rollo epitomized the man described in the poem written by Rev. Joseph Newton, "When is a Man a Mason?"--a man who forgave, a man who embraced his faith, a kind and generous man "and no hand seeks his aid without response". He never turned away anyone that needed help--often doing so anonymously. After he married Doris, he began Gass' Dairy, which included the milking, bottling and delivering of the milk--all while he continued to farm. Later, he took on a new role as the manager of Superior-Deshler of Edgar, where he worked for over thirty years. He continued working for Aurora Co-op for many years, at Ong, Geneva and Sedan. Rollo had a strong work ethic and took great pride in his work. He believed in giving back to his community, as evidenced by the clubs & committees he was a member of. His expertise and reputation was the catalyst for him serving as a Clay County Commissioner for many years. His Christian faith was strong; he was a deacon and elder of the Church of the Plains. Recently, Trisha & Rollo were talking about how hard it is to please people. Rollo shared with her, "People want to be in front of the line, back of the church or in the middle of the road". As mentioned, Rollo was a hard worker and he always had somewhere to be and something to do. A sure sign of his impatience was when he began to shake the keys and change in his pocket. If that wasn't effective, he would then say, "Stir your stumps. We need to go." Growing up on a farm in the 1930s, everyone wore bib overalls and hand-me-downs. A man who had a big influence on Rollo, Clarence Adams, who ran a mercantile store. He was a very neat dresser. When Rollo saw Clarence, he vowed to one day emulate him. And he did. Most knew Rollo as a stylish dresser, often donning a hat. He had a love of family and children. He would often travel to be with them--to Oklahoma, to Illinois. His niece and nephews, Tami, Tom and Ty Bucknell, spent a great deal of time with Doris & Rollo. Tami remembers fondly the summers she spent on the farm, when Rollo would come home for lunch just to push her on the monkey swing. Rollo & Doris moved to town from the farm, building a new home 40 years ago. Rollo was known by affectionate nicknames by his family, "Chief" & "Pierpa". A young neighbor girl, Melissa Chambers, brought joy to him, as his grandchildren moved away. Rollo is survived by his daughter, Trisha Shepard, of Edgar, NE; his son & daughter-in-law, Michael & Diana (Marshall) Gass, of Jones, OK; four grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife Funeral services were held Tuesday 10:30 a.m., July 8, 2014 at the Church of the Plains, Edgar, Nebraska with Pastor Kathryn Bates officiating. Burial was held in the Edgar Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home of Edgar, Nebraska was entrusted with arrangements. Williams Funeral Home Edgar Chapel PH 402 224 5315 williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com