In honor of Gilbert and his two brothers, Art & Arnie (all three were WWII veterans), Larry & Judi Voecks and Mary Voecks Vaughn donated a granite bench in Heroes Park in Norfolk, Nebraska.  We are happy to be able to honor our fathers and uncles in this way.  

Heroes Park was dedicated on November 7, 2013.  It is in a beautiful setting in front of the Veterans' Home.  Gilbert lived almost his whole life in Norfolk and loved it there.  His and his brothers' names will now be a part of Norfolk forever. 

Gilbert was a life member of the VFW Post 1644 and American Legion Post 16. He also was very active in the Elks Lodge 653, where he held many offices.

Gilbert stayed very active most of his life.  He was still playing volleyball when he was near 80 years old. In his early 80s, he walked daily every morning at the Sunset Plaza with his friends Mark Abler and Bill Blide.  

 He enjoyed playing shuffleboard, golf and cards. He would play pitch with his family and friends. He and Lois would play a game of Rummy 500 and Kings in the Corner almost every night before going to bed.

We were able to celebrate his 85th and 90th birthday in style with most of his friends and family.  He danced for hours with all the ladies at his 85th birthday party.

Gilbert met Lois at the Elk’s Club.  Lois nicknamed him Gil.  His job at Central Finance took he and Lois to Tempe, Arizona when he was 65 yars. On May 20, 1987, Gilbert married Lois Benson in Tempe. They later made their home in Norfolk

Gib became a grandfather with the birth of Lindy Vaughn in 1973.  His first grandson, Tristen Patterson was born in 1995.  His second grandson, Aidan Fontenot was born in 2002.

Gib and Betty had three children, Mary, Gerry and Jeanne. Gib loved being a father and often took his kids ice skating, sledding, bowling, or play softball.  Their favorite outing was to Verges park where we could climb the hills or to TaHaZooka park in the winter where he would tie a sled or scoop shovel to his bumper and pull Mary, Gerry and his nieces and nephews behind his car.  Another favorite activity was tobogganing at Patrolman’s Hill.  He often took Jeanne to the Elk’s club to play pool. 

He was employed at Old Home Bread and Keebler during this time. He began his career with Central Finance in 1968.

Jim and Peg Stewart introduced Gib to his first wife.  Betty was working as a nurse and Gib was working for the railroad when they met.  On June 2, 1950, Gib married Betty Finley in Norfolk.

They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary together at their home in Norfolk.  Betty passed away on Nov. 22, 1979.

On Aug. 28, 1942, Gib entered the U.S. Army at Fort Crook, Nebraska, then went to Fort Leavenworth and then to Fort Bliss,Texas. After combat training he was transferred to Camp Myles Standish, Mass on April 20, 1943 and sailed USAT (United States Army Transport) enroute to unknown destination finally landing at Bivouac staging area 10, vicinity of Oman, Algeria. During the war he served as Sergent of Battery "C" 534AAA (Antiaircraft Artillery).  He participated in landing at Salerno Italy through Cassino, Rome and Follonica then boarded LCI (landing craft infantry) for Lacroix France, then onto Germany, Austria.  He earned his honorable discharge on Oct 26, 1945.

After the Army, he returned to Norfolk. His first job after the war was working at General Wholesale; his job was taking orders in produce.  

Gib's first job was as a Jenny delivery man.  His first car was a Model T Ford.  His favorite ice cream place was Baldridge.  He drove a Tera Plane before entering the Army.

He attended Jefferson Elementary School, Christ Lutheran School and Norfolk Senior High.  His first dog was named Teddy.  He named one of the family pigs after Mae West.  He loved playing Tarzan in the crab trees by his house. Gib enjoyed bowling and playing softball while in high school.  He used to go into Hadar for free movies. His first car was a Model T Ford. 

He met Jim Stewart, his oldest friend, in high school.  Gib and Jim were friends for 70 years. 

Gilbert Henry Otto Voecks was born on March 8, 1921, in Norfolk, the son of Otto and Martha (Muehlmeier) Voecks. He was born in his parent’s home at 214 Cedar Avenue in the upstairs front bedroom.  The house is still standing in Norfolk.