Gayle W. Struss

Hastings resident Gayle W. Struss passed away November 7, 2025, 79, at Mary Lanning Healthcare after a short battle with cancer. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 13, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett officiating. Burial with military rites by Hastings Military Honor Guard and Navy Honor Guard will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. with the family present 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Gayle’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page. 

Gayle was born on March 23, 1946, to Lambert (Jack) and Edna (Klein) Struss in Hastings, NE. He graduated from Kenesaw High School in 1964 and attended the Universal Trade School in Omaha. Afterward, he enlisted in the United States Navy and became a Seabee based in Gulfport, MS. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as well as a tour in the Mediterranean Sea. After his active duty, he served three years in the Navy Reserve. 

After returning home, he attended Central Nebraska Technical College, now Central Community College, where he trained as a draftsman. While in school, he married Kathy (Lipsack) on March 21, 1971. They had three boys, Scott (b. 1974), Ryan (b. 1976) and Ross (b. 1989). In 1979, he went to work for the United States Postal Service and retired in 2005. 

Gayle enjoyed woodworking projects, puzzles and being with his grandchildren. He was also a VFW Life member and faithfully watched NCIS reruns. 

Gayle was preceded in death by two infant siblings; his parents, Lambert (Jack) and Edna Struss; in-laws, Raymond and Laverna Lipsack; and son, Ryan Struss. 

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Struss; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott & April Struss and Ross & Melissa Struss; grandchildren, Emily & fiancé Josh, Evan, Jeremy, and Eli; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lonnie & Diane Lipsack.