Gary Luther

Gary Lee Luther, 77, of Grand Island, NE died October 10, 2026 in Grand Island, NE. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island, NE with Pastor Denzel Nonhof and Brad Jepsen officiating. Interment will be in the Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Memorials are suggested to the First United Presbyterian Church of Wood River or Alcoholics Anonymous. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Gary was born on October 6, 1949 at Sutherland, NE, to Roger and Betty (Lizer) Luther. He grew up in Kearney, NE, and received his education at A.O. Thomas Elementary and Kearney High. Gary served in the U.S. Army.

He was united in marriage to Wilma Anne Knigge on July 1, 1968 at the United Methodist Church in Cairo, NE. Throughout their marriage, Gary and Wilma resided in numerous towns in Nebraska including Cairo, Shickley, Alexandria, Wood River, Alda, and most recently Grand Island.

At a young age, Gary worked with his father and grandfather at Luther Sand and Gravel in Kearney. Gary grew up operating heavy equipment and working alongside the men as a young boy. He later worked at the Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, drove over the road and dispatched for various trucking companies, and worked in outside sales for various companies. As a young adult, Gary enjoyed working with his dad at Luther CB Sales/Gas Station at the Alda Interchange before venturing out to own and operate the Alda Gas/Repair Station. Most recently before his retirement, Gary worked for DelRay Manufacturing and co-owned/operated Voltage Systems.

Gary was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Wood River where he served as a deacon and elder. He was a member of the Triangle Circle Campers Group and Alcoholics Anonymous. Gary was proud of his 51 years of sobriety. He was also a past Cub Scout leader and Little League Baseball Coach. Gary enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing, golfing, and camping. Gary was a faithful volunteer at the Grand Island Nebraska Veteran’s Home for many years. He loved traveling and especially loved driving. Gary and Wilma had plans to travel across the United States with their camper. Gary loved Halloween and looked forward to passing out treats and tallying the number of trick-or-treaters that came to his door each year. Gary and Wilma enjoyed picking up personal pan pizzas and watching Husker football games. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed cheering them on at their activities. He was most proud of becoming a great-grandpa and enjoyed time with “his girl” Everly.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Wilma Luther; children Kenneth A. (Heather) Luther and Rebecca (Kyle) Allan; grandchildren: Victoria (Steve) Stark, Kenneth I Luther, Wyatt (Jazmin) Allan, and Jersey Allan; great-granddaughter, Everly Allan; mother, Betty Farquhar; step-mother, Jan Luther; brothers: John (Dar) Luther, Mitch (Lori) Farquhar, Rob (Margaret) Farquhar, Greg (Shannon) Farquhar, Rog (Gina) Luther; sister Beth (Joe) Hogan; brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law: Betty Bulin, Darlene Hudson, Pat Knigge, Lois Knigge, Margie Durflinger, Cherie (Rod) Domeier; numerous nieces and nephews, and a countless number of friends of Bill W.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Luther; step-father, Robert Farquhar; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Levi and Pauline Knigge; brothers: Jeff Farquhar, Richard Farquhar, and Michael Rakestraw; brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law: Kathleen and Roy Morgan, Howard Bulin, Lynn Hudson, Wanda and Charles McMillan, Leland Knigge, Don Knigge, Wayne Knigge, Pauline and Bill Disney, and Jim Durflinger.