Inez Gunnerson

Inez Jane (Williams) Gunnerson, 83, of St. Paul, NE, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2024, surrounded by her family at the home of her daughter & son-in-law in St. Paul, NE.  

Inez was born on February 17, 1941, to Sidney and Hazel (Haynes) Williams in Gothenburg, NE. She grew up in Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1959. Inez was united in marriage to Rex Gunnerson on April 3, 1960, in Gothenburg, NE. From this union four children were born, Valerie, Machell, Stewart, and Patricia. Inez and Rex spent their first few years of marriage living the military life in multiple states. They returned to central Nebraska and raised their children in Gothenburg, Cozad, and Arnold. Then, prior to their retirement in Cairo, NE, they both worked for the Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center for over 15 years.

Inez’s priority was her family. Her husband and her children never doubted her devotion and her love for them. She was a master seamstress, both in her work and her personal life. The homes of her children and grandchildren are filled with handmade items from quilts to Christmas stockings and everything in between. Inez taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School during the many years they lived in Gothenburg. She made it a point to attend as many of her grandchildren’s school and sporting events as possible. Grandma was their most enthusiastic cheerleader.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter and son-in-law Valerie and Jerry Knapp of Lincoln, NE; daughter and son-in-law Machell and Kent Naylor of St. Paul, NE; son and daughter-in-law Stewart and Daphne Gunnerson of Ankeny, IA; daughter and son-in-law Patricia and Jeff McWhorter of Loveland, CO; grandchildren Kelly, Ryan, Crysta, Nicole, Laurel, Gavin, Wade and great grandson Callan; brother and sister-in-law Terry and Kathy Williams of Palmer, NE; brother-in-law Larry Franzen of Gothenburg, NE; many nieces and nephews.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Rex Allen Gunnerson, in December, 2023; her parents, Sidney and Hazel Williams; sister Marye Franzen.

The family would like to publicly thank AseraCare Hospice. The care, compassion, and knowledge these special nurses, especially Sarah and Payton, gave to our mother in her final week was extraordinary. Thank you.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 17, 2024, 2:00-4:00 pm, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 10th St, Gothenburg, NE, with the family present.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30, Monday, March 18, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE with Pastor Susan Murithi officiating. Interment will be held immediately following at the Gothenburg Cemetery in Gothenburg, NE.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Gothenburg United Methodist Church or St. Paul United Methodist Church.