Obituary for Kevin Earl Feil
Kevin Earl Feil, 63, of Gering, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His funeral service will be held at 2pm on Monday, February 13th, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church in Gering with Pastor Richard Neugebauer officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 12th from 2-4pm at the church. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Kevin’s honor be made in care of his family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be made by viewing Kevin’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Kevin was born at home, during a snowstorm, on March 26, 1959 to Leroy “Butch” and Valjean Feil. He was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on May 8,1959. The family spent five years on the ranch in Banner County. His mother was tragically taken from this earth, and he then moved to Gering with his father and sister.
Kevin attended McKinley grade school where he met some lifelong friends. A few years later Butch married Julia Webber, and they were once again a family of four. Butch and “Julie” remained in Gering where Kevin attended school. He was quickly identified as the class clown and had many, many friends. Kevin enjoyed playing baseball and was the first chair trombone, an instrument his mother Valjean also played. On April 15, 1973, Kevin publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed. He graduated from Gering High School in 1977.
Kevin met the love of his life, Nancy Jean Schaneman, in high school and the two were married on April 17, 1982. To this union, they had three daughters, Melissa Lynn, Lindsey Julieann, and Erica Whitney. He loved those girls with everything he had. Kevin would play hide and seek with the girls. As he searched for them, he would slowly stomp toward them saying “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum.” This sent shivers up their spines, and they would squeal in anticipation of being found. Kevin was a fun-loving father and formed inseparable bonds with each of his girls.
The list of Kevin’s hobbies and interests was long: fishing, camping, boating, motorcycles, hunting, shooting and cars (Fords of course.) He enjoyed swinging a golf club, and sometimes throwing one. Of all these, he loved being on the water. Pulling anyone who would let him behind his boat, cruising across the water as the sun sets, and setting a line after throwing out the anchor were some favorites. Kevin and his dad made it to a few NASCAR races in person, a memory that never seemed to fade.
His love only seemed to grow as Kevin was blessed with grandchildren. Each baby got to hear Papa’s voice sing to them before they took their first breath. Kevin, now known as Papa, once again had little children to play with, chase and love, but this time there were no rules. The only thing he asked in return was, “Don’t tell your mom!” Kevin couldn’t wait to give each grand baby a ride on his motorcycle or to pull them on the tube.
Kevin made an impact on everyone he knew. His faith was strong, and he witnessed to many about God’s love and grace. It is rare to go through life with as many true friends as he had. Running to the store was never quick with Kevin; he always ran into someone he knew and had to “shoot the breeze.” His stories were never short, many times forgetting the origin. He will be forever missed by so many. The immense love he had for God, his family and friends will keep his memory alive.
Kevin is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Feil; daughters Melissa (Norb) Guerrero, Lindsey (Nick) Singer, Erica (Josh) Garza; grandchildren Aria and Julian Guerrero, William and Maeve Singer, and Zacchaeus Garza; father Leroy “Butch” Feil, mother-in-law Mildred Schaneman; sister Krystal Phillips, sister-in-law Marylin (Jack) Wiedeman, sister-in-law Sandra (Ronnie) Wiedeman; special cousins Daryl (Bobby) Wills, Karen Gorham and Tom Burley; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kevin was preceded in death by his mother Valjean Feil, step-mother Julia Feil and father-in-law George Schaneman; granddaughter Olivia Guerrero; grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Kevin was born at home, during a snowstorm, on March 26, 1959 to Leroy “Butch” and Valjean Feil. He was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on May 8,1959. The family spent five years on the ranch in Banner County. His mother was tragically taken from this earth, and he then moved to Gering with his father and sister.
Kevin attended McKinley grade school where he met some lifelong friends. A few years later Butch married Julia Webber, and they were once again a family of four. Butch and “Julie” remained in Gering where Kevin attended school. He was quickly identified as the class clown and had many, many friends. Kevin enjoyed playing baseball and was the first chair trombone, an instrument his mother Valjean also played. On April 15, 1973, Kevin publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed. He graduated from Gering High School in 1977.
Kevin met the love of his life, Nancy Jean Schaneman, in high school and the two were married on April 17, 1982. To this union, they had three daughters, Melissa Lynn, Lindsey Julieann, and Erica Whitney. He loved those girls with everything he had. Kevin would play hide and seek with the girls. As he searched for them, he would slowly stomp toward them saying “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum.” This sent shivers up their spines, and they would squeal in anticipation of being found. Kevin was a fun-loving father and formed inseparable bonds with each of his girls.
The list of Kevin’s hobbies and interests was long: fishing, camping, boating, motorcycles, hunting, shooting and cars (Fords of course.) He enjoyed swinging a golf club, and sometimes throwing one. Of all these, he loved being on the water. Pulling anyone who would let him behind his boat, cruising across the water as the sun sets, and setting a line after throwing out the anchor were some favorites. Kevin and his dad made it to a few NASCAR races in person, a memory that never seemed to fade.
His love only seemed to grow as Kevin was blessed with grandchildren. Each baby got to hear Papa’s voice sing to them before they took their first breath. Kevin, now known as Papa, once again had little children to play with, chase and love, but this time there were no rules. The only thing he asked in return was, “Don’t tell your mom!” Kevin couldn’t wait to give each grand baby a ride on his motorcycle or to pull them on the tube.
Kevin made an impact on everyone he knew. His faith was strong, and he witnessed to many about God’s love and grace. It is rare to go through life with as many true friends as he had. Running to the store was never quick with Kevin; he always ran into someone he knew and had to “shoot the breeze.” His stories were never short, many times forgetting the origin. He will be forever missed by so many. The immense love he had for God, his family and friends will keep his memory alive.
Kevin is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Feil; daughters Melissa (Norb) Guerrero, Lindsey (Nick) Singer, Erica (Josh) Garza; grandchildren Aria and Julian Guerrero, William and Maeve Singer, and Zacchaeus Garza; father Leroy “Butch” Feil, mother-in-law Mildred Schaneman; sister Krystal Phillips, sister-in-law Marylin (Jack) Wiedeman, sister-in-law Sandra (Ronnie) Wiedeman; special cousins Daryl (Bobby) Wills, Karen Gorham and Tom Burley; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kevin was preceded in death by his mother Valjean Feil, step-mother Julia Feil and father-in-law George Schaneman; granddaughter Olivia Guerrero; grandparents, aunts and uncles.