Geraldine "Gerry" L. Carlson

Geraldine “Gerry” Carlson was born September 1, 1928 to George and Edith Bergman in Verona, Nebraska. Gerry attended Verona school grades 1 through 9 and graduated from Clay Center High School in 1945.

Gerry married Delmar L. Ockinga in Clay Center, Nebraska April 6, 1947. They had 2 children, Steven L. Ockinga and Sharon L. (Ockinga) Sara.

Delmar passed away June 14, 1982.

Gerry married Homer Carlson of Sutton, Nebraska on September 20, 1986. Homer passed away on September 24, 1995.

Gerry worked several years for the Nash Finch Company in Hastings. Gerry also worked 17 years for Montgomery Wards catalog department and 8 years for J.C. Penny catalog department in Hastings. Gerry retired in August of 1985. She later moved to Good Samaritan Village where she volunteered for the Senior Center and Village Diner.

Gerry is preceded in death by her parents; 2 husbands, Delmar Ockinga and Homer Carlson; son, Steven L. Ockinga; brother, Rodney Bergman; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Bergman.

Gerry is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Ockinga) Sara of Cheyenne, Wyoming; 2 grandsons, Joseph D. Sara Jr. and Christopher L. Sara; 2 great-grandsons, Kaysen Sara and Kellen Pratt all from Springfield, Georgia. Nephews, Mark (Karla) Bergman and David (Kathy) Bergman; niece, Kristy (Mike) Price. She is also survived by 2 step-daughters, Jeanene Heinz of Humboldt, Iowa and Linda Hietbrink of Des Moines, Iowa; 5 step-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-great-grandson.

Graveside Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, NE with Pastor Dale Phillips officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation. Gerry’s wishes were to be cremated. Cards and memorials can be sent to the funeral home.