Michel E. Gartner

Michel E. "Mike" Gartner, 76, of Hemingford, passed away on August 25, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.

Mike was born August 19, 1949, at Imperial, Nebraska, to Edward Michel and Marjorie Marie (Stucker) Gartner. He graduated from Elsie High School with the class of 1967. Following school, Mike worked on farms around Elsie before eventually moving into waste services.

On August 9, 1979, Mike married Ruth Florence Kain in Holyoke, Colorado. The couple made their home in Grant, where Mike worked for the City of Grant and became a member of the Grant Volunteer Fire Department. Mike and Ruth were both dedicated to the fire department and emergency rescue and served their community together, faithfully, for many years.

Mike was a man who loved the outdoors. Fishing, camping, and hunting were among his favorite pursuits. He also enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends, and could always be found enjoying a game of Yahtzee, which some might describe as a Yahtzee war. In later years, Mike made his home at the Hemingford Community Care Center, where he received excellent care. His greatest joy, however, was always his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, of whom he was immensely proud.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Marlie Elmore; parents; siblings, Gary Gartner and Janice (Garen) Beck; and a niece, Sasha.

Survivors include his daughter, Kim (Calvin) Fraser of Brule, NE; son, Dean (Shannon) Kraft of Dublin, GA; nine grandchildren, Melissa Hayes (Brandon), Clay Fraser, Monica Stutzman, Danny (Christina) Elmore, Jessica Williams (Jayden), Jennifer (Adam) Wise, Carl Dean Kraft (Rebekkah), John (Amber) Kraft, and Charles Kraft (Lissa); 28 great-grandchildren, Karlielynne, Kenzie, Corbyn, Reggie, Colton, Riley, Angel, Ivy, Isaiah, Emma, Austin (AJ), Levi, Zachary, Jada, Joshua, Lilly, Andrew, Dustin, Sabryna, Dominic, Janelle, Maciah, Brock, Jordan, Justin, Hailey, Caelab, and Jacob; great-great-grandchildren, Bellamy, Aubriella, Ryker, Bentley, with two more expected soon; siblings, Bill (Ellen) Gartner of Crawford, Audrey (Danny) Martin of Ogallala, and Chuck Gartner of Whitney, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, Katie, Tim, Brad, Sara, Tristian, Eugene, Danny, Josh, Julie, Tami, Phillip, Shawn and extended family.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church, with Pastor Spenser Johnson officiating.

A memorial has been established in Mike's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.