Gerard J. "Gary" Kovar of Garland, Nebraska was born on March 7, 1933, in Seward County, Nebraska to Cyrill F. and Bessie (Hromas) Kovar and passed away on February 6, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 30 days. Gary attended country school to the 8 ^th grade, then entered Garland High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. He helped his father on the farm and worked for neighbors before entering and serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955.

Gary married the love of his life, Vi Ackerman, on June 23, 1956 and to this union three children were born, Ken, Kim and Brenda. Gary worked at Cushman Motors for 38 years and then tended llamas for 20 years. He loved working in his garden as well as working on anything with engines, he could fix anything. Gary enjoyed woodworking, bowling, going fishing with his kids and spoiling his grandchildren. He loved to cook and eat anything chocolate.

Gary restored his father's first tractor and enjoyed taking it to Antique Tractor Shows and being with friends. Gary and Vi took many Bus Tours in their retirement years. He has been to all, but three states in the United States. He enjoyed every trip to the fullest. Gary loved helping people, doing whatever needed to be done.

Gary was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee prior to joining St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward. He was a member of the Garland Town Board where he helped build the new Garland Park and Ball Diamond. He was a member of the Garland American Legion and was a very active member until his health failed.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Kovar; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Roebke, H. J Ackerman, Wayne Ackerman, Ray Ackerman, Charles Oleson and Harold Lee; sisters-in-law, Annabelle Kovar, Eunice Jean Kovar, Elizabeth Lee.

Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Vi; three children and spouses, Ken Kovar, Garland, Kim (David) Hemsath, Seward, Brenda (Arvin) Doeschot, Hickman; grandchildren, Antonio (Tarah) Hemsath, Seward, Allan Hemsath, Seward, Amanda (Matthew) St. Louis, Staplehurst, Adrienne Unvert and significant other, Jason Wise, Firth, Dustin Doeschot, Adams, Kyle Doeschot, Firth; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers, Victor Kovar, Lincoln, Cyrill Kovar and friend, Ramona Svoboda, Crete, Dan (Delta) Kovar, Seward, Ernie Kovar and friend, Jeanne Frentz, Wichita, Kansas, David (Jean) Kovar, Lincoln; sisters, Gladys Roebke, Seward, Betsy (Chuck) Fletcher, Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Judy Kovar, Beatrice, Margareut Oleson, Portland, OR, Carol Fox, Geneva, Susan Kovar, Wichita, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews.  To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Gary.