Gary Wood

Gary Lee Wood, 84, of Polk, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.

Celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Polk Community Hall. Justin Smith will officiate. Inurnment will be held in the Polk Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for designation at a later. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www. livson.com. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Gary was born January 5, 1941, to Walter and Argyle (Schultz) Wood in Alda. He grew up in Alda and Wood River, graduating from Wood River High School.

He was united in marriage to Julia Tippin on June 16, 1963, in Grand Island. To this union, three children were born: Todd, Kari, and Keli. The couple lived in Grand Island. He worked construction with Bob Sears and drove trucks for Goodyear Tire. When he retired from firefighting, he worked at Skagway. Gary and Julia were married for 61 loving years.

Gary enjoyed fishing and camping with his wife. He also enjoyed tinkering and carpentry. He would make Christmas presents for the family. His family meant the most to him.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Melissa Wood of Lawrence, KS; daughters and son-in-law, Kari and Mike Brown and Keli Peterson all of Cairo, NE; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Carol Bushhousen; three sisters-inlaws, Gertrude Wood, Rena Wood, Elenor Wood; and two brother-inlaws, Rick Schneider, William and wife LaRee Peery.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Julia; granddaughter, SaVanna Wood; brothers, Jim, Richard, Dean, Dale and Tom; sisters, Joan Bushhousen and Janet Schneider; sister-in-laws, Darletta Wood, Beverly Wood; brother-inlaw, Terry Bushhousen.