Eugene Frederick Kort

Eugene Frederick Kort, 96, Hastings, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at the Heritage at College View, Hastings, Nebraska.  Service will be Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska with Pastor Josh Davis and Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating.  Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska.  Visitation will be Monday, November 27, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska and one hour prior to service at the church.  A memorial has been established to be designated at a later date.  The service will be live streamed on Merten-Butler Mortuary’s website.  To view the service, go to Eugene’s obituary and click on the play button towards the bottom of the page.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Eugene was born on January 29, 1927 to Fred and Octavia (Hasebrook) Kort in Hastings, Nebraska.  He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill on February 27, 1927, confirmed on May 5, 1940 and was a member for 65 years.  He attended Ayr Public Schools for six years, then Trinity Lutheran School for two years, graduating from Ayr High School in 1944.  On August 25, 1948 he married LaVona J. Alber of Rosemont, Nebraska at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska and they started farming, living on a farm at the west edge of Ayr, Nebraska.  To this union five children were born, Pamela, Daniel, Gerald, Peggy and Randal.  LaVona passed away on January 2, 1980 at the age of fifty years.  On May 28, 1983 he married Betty J. (Bruntz) Gillaspie at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska.  Betty passed away on March 9, 2018. 

Eugene spent his entire life farming and raising livestock on the same farm.  He raised five children on this farm and was always involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s 4-H and FFA projects.  When he reached retirement age, he sold the farm to his youngest son Randy.  In 1992 he and his wife Betty moved to Hastings and they joined Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings.  He remained active in farming and maintained his cattle herd into to his early eighties.  Providing corn fed beef at Christmas time to his children and their families.  He also provided assistance and advice to his other children that were somewhat involved in agriculture.  He did not beat around the bush and always told you what he thought.  During his life he served as an Elder, was on Trinity Lutheran Church Board for nine years, Trinity Lutheran School Board for six years, Ayr Public School Board for ten years and Ayr Village Board as Mayor and Councilman for thirty-two years during which time he was a Hastings Rural Fireman and helped create and build the Ayr Rural Fire Department.

He leaves to mourn his death his five children; Pam (Tom) Johnson, Blue Hill, Nebraska, Dan (JoAnne) Kort, Lincoln City, Oregon, Gary (Tara Neal) Kort, Lincoln, Nebraska, Peg (Ray) Gangwish, Ayr, Nebraska, Randal (Barsha) Kort, Ayr, Nebraska; two stepdaughters, Vicki (Roger) Janssen, Moorpark, California, Nancy (Jerry) Knauff, Great Falls, Montana; two sisters, LaMerle Peterson, Manteca, California, Sheryl (Darryl) Bettencourt, Lodi, California; fifteen grandchildren; five step grandchildren; ten great grandchildren, numerous step great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents; both wives; two grandsons, Aaron and Brian Johnson; daughter-in-law, Paula Kort; one brother and sister-in-law, Doug (June) Kort; one brother-in-law, Pete Peterson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Arelyn (Bill) Cumberland and Colleen (Elmer) Hohlen.  

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