Gary’s Obituary Gary Lee Woita was born November 30, 1955 at David City, NE. He was the oldest of 4 children born to Leonard and Frances Havlovic Woita. Gary and the family lived on a farm near Abie, NE where he helped with farming and livestock. He wrestled and played football at East Butler High School. In his teen years, he worked as a mechanic at Southside station and later at Trobridge Motors in David City. Gary was an accomplished mechanic and welder. In 1981 Gary took a job with Curry Farms North of Atkinson. He worked in the cattle division and enjoyed working cattle and calving heifers. In June of 1981 he met his wife Jan Barlean at his cousins wedding. Their first date was at a horse show. They were married November 7, 1981 at St. Lukes Methodist church in David City. They were blessed with 3 children, Lee Jacob, Eric James, and Lindy Ann. In 1986 Gary and Jan purchased the Woita Family Ranch. They started out with 15 bred heifers, a John Deere A with a hand clutch, and a pickup. Gary loved building their ranch and worked unlimited hours keeping the ranch on track. He made sure his children were always involved with the chores, learned proper livestock care, and good work ethics. One of Gary’s biggest passions was horses. He had an amazing way with horses. He spent much of his riding time rehabilitating horses that had serious problems. He would ride them for sometimes a year or two, work their problems out, and then resell them to a new owner. Gary made sure his children were in the 4-H program. He helped not only his own children learn about cattle, horses, and showing, but also helped other 4-H members and their families learn more about 4-H and livestock showing. Gary served on the Holt Co. Fair Beef Committee for several years and always could be found at the roping chute at the fair. He served 15 years on the Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District Board of Directors and served on numerous committees. Gary’s favorite time of the year was spring and branding season. Every year, the neighborhood branding crew went from one ranch to another helping each other brand. Gary always said, I’ve worked all year for this day, now I’m going to enjoy it. Gary was a very hard-working man who loved being his own boss but he was always ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. He will also be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and great sense of humor. Gary loved competing in team roping jackpots and ranch rodeos. He enjoyed having fun with friends and family at the rodeos. He also judged many ranch rodeos. Best of all, Gary was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa, brother, friend, and neighbor. He loved his wife, kids, and Grandkids more than words can say. He also loved his Lord and Savior. When Gary was diagnosed with CMML July 3rd, 2018, it was the beginning of haying season. Friends and neighbors put up over 1,100 big round bales for the Woita Family. In Gary’s last few weeks he was still trying to tell the nurses about the gigantic haying crew that put up his hay, and he would always choke up part way through and couldn’t finish. He said he had been very humbled by all the good deeds done for us in his time of need. Gary completed his chemo treatments around Thanksgiving and was ready for the stem cell transplant. Pneumonia and other physical complications prevented him from receiving the transplant. Gary fought his condition until the very end. He was very brave and a very good patient. The nurses said they could never leave the room without a “Thank You!” from Gary. When God called, Gary was spiritually ready for heavenly home. Gary is survived by his wife Jan of Atkinson; children Lee Woita and his wife Mary of Atkinson, Eric Woita and his wife Katie of Plainview, NE, and Lindy Woita of Atkinson; grandchildren Clare, Sophia, Luke & Kerrigan; brothers Kevin Woita and his wife Joy of David City, NE and Mike Woita of Linwood, NE; and a sister Karen Moss and her husband Joe of Kansas City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Frances Woita and his father-in-law George Barlean. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gary L Woita November 30 1955 January 14 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Atkinson, state: Nebraska