While growing up, he was active in Civil Air Patrol,
4-H, and newspaper routes. The family moved to Nebraska where he graduated from Columbus High School in 1974. Gene graduated from UNL in 1979 with a B.S. degree in Mechanized Agriculture. He enjoyed working with electronics and was very mechanically minded; he could fix anything – from broken toys to the older car engines in the driveway.
Gene and Sharlotte Gobber met at the UNL Lutheran Student Center and were married May 19, 1979, in rural Humboldt, NE. They made their home in Lincoln and were blessed with 3 children: Erik James (deceased), Emily Kathryn, and Michael Tyler. Gene was active in the Nebraska SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Foundation after Erik’s passing. He volunteered at his children’s elementary school and 4-H clubs; the Lancaster County Fair Board, 4-H Council and shooting sports clubs. He was active at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and church council.
After graduation from UNL he worked for the UNL Extension as a field representative for the dairy program, then owned and operated a dairy equipment business, which his kids have memories of while riding along with him to the dairies. Through the years he also worked at The Fort Western as Co-op Manager and office work at Palmyra Livestock Market. In recent years he enjoyed following his grandchildrens’ activities; especially trapshooting and assisting with coaching their 4-H trap club. A highlight of many holidays included family trap shoots. Collecting Coleman lanterns, going to gun shows and browsing in antique shops were favorite pastimes.
Family members include wife Sharlotte; daughter Emily (Brad) Steinhoff of Palmyra, NE; son Mike Veburg of Heartwell, NE; grandson Brandon Steinhoff and granddaughter Kelsey Steinhoff of Palmyra, NE; brother Conrad (Gailynn) Veburg of Gretna, NE; sister-in-law Wanda Grothen of Lincoln, NE; nephews Craig (Tamika) Veburg of Geneva, NE, and Alex Veburg of Kearney, NE; nieces Kara Grothen of Portland, OR, Tracey (Brett) Grothen-Maly of Omaha, NE; Megan (Tyler) McConville of Ontario, Canada; and other extended family.
Gene is preceded in death by parents John and Mildred Veburg, infant son Erik Veburg, brother David Veburg, and brother-in-law David Grothen.
Memorials to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1015 Lancaster Lane, Lincoln, NE, 68505 or Fridhem Lutheran Church, 315 Park Lane, Hordville, NE, 68846.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1015 Lancaster Lane. 2:30 pm burial in Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery, Hordville, NE.
A visitation will be held with family present from 5-7 pm Monday, May 6, 2024, at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.