Gene A. Twiford

Gene A Twiford, 86, of Laurel, NE entered into rest Thursday, August 4, 2022. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m. at United Lutheran Church in Laurel, NE. Visitation will be Thursday, August 11 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at Laurel City Cemetery. The service will be live streamed at laurelulc.org/live-stream. Any overflow on the day of the service may go to United Methodist Church in Laurel. Gene Allen Twiford was born February 25, 1936 in Laurel, NE to Harold and Lillian (Obermeyer) Twiford. He grew up on a farm west of Laurel. He graduated from Laurel High School in 1952. After high school, he helped his dad and uncle farm in Laurel. Gene enlisted and served in the Army from 1958-1964. He met Janet Haan in 1960 and were united in marriage on April 15, 1961 at Mayflower Congregational Church in Sioux City, IA. They lived on the farm south of Laurel for 53 years and raised four children there. Gene farmed and worked in the hay business for over 50 years before retiring and moving to town. Gene was a lifetime member of the United Lutheran Church in Laurel where he enjoyed helping with Meals on Wheels. He was a very active member of the Laurel Veterans Post and the American Legion for 48 years and was honored to serve as the Nebraska State Commander of the American Legion from 2000-2001. He was chairman of the Cedar County Veterans Service Committee for 31 years and was instrumental in getting Highway 20 across the state of Nebraska renamed to the Medal of Honor Highway. He worked tirelessly to honor those who served, loved being grandpa to all his grandkids, and taking “shortcuts” with his grandsons. Those left to honor his memory include his children: Todd (Judy) Twiford, Sioux City, IA, Jill Olesen (Brian Eddie), Carroll, NE, Gail (Jeff) Curry, Laurel, NE; 5 wonderful grandchildren: Elizabeth Curry (Justin Janecek), Skyler (Allison) Curry, Mary Jo (Eric) Coleman, Michael (Caterina) Olesen, Laura (Wyatt) Westberg; and 4 beautiful great-grandchildren: Theo and Willa Curry, and Eli and Oliver Coleman, sister-in-law Joanie Peters, Thornton, CO, nephews: Mike (Karyn), WA state, Terry Huwe, San Francisco, CA, Jeff (Kathy) Peters, Hudson, CO, Jerry (Annette) Peters, Thornton, CO, and niece Cindy (Luke) Neiberger, Hudson, CO. He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Lillian Twiford, parents-in-law Ray and Ida Haan, sister-in-law Dorothy Huwe, brothers-in-law Eddie Huwe and Vern Peters. He entered into rest with his loving wife Janet and daughter Dana. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department or the Laurel Vets Club.