Gina Kay Sherry

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

Gina Kay Sherry, 70, of Grand Island entered into the presence of her Lord on Saturday, September 20th, at Grand Island Regional Hospital surrounded by her loved ones praying and singing her into heaven. The Celebration of Life in Christ will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Harrison Street, in Grand Island, NE, on October 10th, with a time for friends and family to gather at 10:00 am, and with Worship starting at 11:00 am. Inurnment will take place at Phillips Memorial Cemetery following the service. A lunch will be served at St. Paul’s Fellowship Hall after the inurnment takes place.

Gina was born on July 23rd, 1955, in Grand Island, Nebraska to Richard Donavon & Eloise Lavon (Kutschkau) Sherry. She attended West Lawn Grade School, Walnut Junior High, and graduated from Grand Island Senior High with the class of 1973. Gina was baptized and confirmed as a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. In 1974, she married Robert “Bob” Hoover, and four children were born to this union; Alicia Cheré, Gustan Dylan, Corisa Janae, and James Donavon. Though their marriage ended, Bob, Karen and Gina remain friends, continuing to love and support their children and grandchildren.

Gina lived by the prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Through countless challenges, Gina’s unwavering faith in the Lord and resilience carried her, leading her to celebrate on September 25, 2025, 36 years of sobriety.

Her vocation and calling was always caring for others; Meals on Wheels, Para-educator in the Grand Island Public School District at Jefferson Elementary and later at GISH, she truly shined as an Intake Specialist at Mid-Plains Crisis Stabilization Center. Gina was known to be one with nature, whether it was watching the waves on the Wilmington, NC beach, or enjoying the mountains in Sedona, AZ. She will always be remembered for pouring her love into everything and everyone she surrounded herself with. Gina touched countless lives with her boundless kindness and resilient spirit.

One of her loves was spending time with her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, reading stories as they sat with her. She loved attending the kid’s sporting events, concerts, and other events they had. Many of us will remember her loving support and her hollering from the stands.

Left to cherish her memories are her children: Alicia (Jamie) Lemburg of Grand Island Ne, Gus (Felice) Hoover of Raleigh, NC, Corisa (Jeremy) Ross of Grand Island Ne, and James (Carrie) Hoover of Wilmington, NC. Grandchildren: Max Cheatham, Ethan (Libby) Lemburg, Jaron Hoover, Mallory Lemburg, Addison Ross, Aiden Hoover, and Emerson Hoover. Great Grandchildren: Annie, Oliver, and Hendrix. Sisters: Lonna (Lyle) Grabenstein, and Cindy Aaron. Nieces and Nephews: Shane (Michelle) Grabenstein, Benjamin (Cindy) Grabenstein, Kristen (Doug) Blayney, Adam (Kelsey) Grabenstein. Uncle: Verden Ray Valasek. Many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and her life-long best friend, Dixie Fullerton. Gina was preceded in death by her parents.

The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to Grand Island Regional Hospital for the extraordinary care and kindness shown to Gina and to us during her time there. We are especially thankful to the Doctors and Specialists who guided her treatment with such skill and compassion; to the 4th Floor Nurses and Aides, day and night shifts, who tended to her needs with patience and gentleness; to the therapists, Respiratory, Physical and Speech Pathologist, who encouraged her each step of the way; to those who tidied up her room and provided clean linens and a cheery “Hello”; to the Dietary staff and meal delivery team who made sure she was cared for in every detail. Each of you treated Gina not only as a patient but as a beloved person, and your attentive presence brought comfort and peace to her and to our whole family. We will forever carry gratitude in our hearts for your loving care.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.