Gayle J. Day

Gayle J. Day, 78, of Hildreth, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at CHI - Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with Rev. Caroline Schenk officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube page. Private family inurnment will be held later at the Hildreth Cemetery. Memorials in Gayle’s honor are kindly suggested to the Hildreth Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Gayle Jeanne Day was born on December 14, 1946, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Stanley and Nora (Starnes) Nelson. She graduated from Farragut High School in 1964. On September 30, 1966, she married the love of her life, Gary Day, in Farragut, Iowa. Together, they made their home in Iowa until 1971, when they moved to Minden, Nebraska, with their two sons, Duane and Dennis. In 1974, the family settled in Hildreth. Gayle devoted her early years to raising her two spirited sons and worked within the Hildreth Public School system during the school year. Later in life, she joined her husband Gary as an over-the-road truck driver, sharing the open road and countless memories. She had many passions. She loved spending time with her family, baking cookies for neighborhood children, sewing, and journaling. She never missed an opportunity to play bingo, work on word puzzles, or put together jigsaw puzzles—activities that brought her joy and kept her sharp. Her warm smile and heartfelt hugs made everyone feel welcome and loved. Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Duane (Kriste Mott) Day of Hildreth and Dennis (Danielle McLachlan) Day of Westminster, CO; grandchildren, Christopher Day, Gabrielle (Justice) Ingraham, and Emily (Alex) Damratowski, Jessica Mott; and great-grandchildren Aria, Leo, and Ava Damratowski, and Emmett and Lennon Ingraham. She is also survived by her brothers, Jim and Dave Nelson of Farragut, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary Day, grandson Edward Ross, and her parents, Stanley and Nora Nelson. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Gayle J. Day

December 14, 1946 - May 19, 2025