Guenter "Gunner" Detlefsen

Guenter "Gunner" Detlefsen was born on July 27, 1943 in Flensburg, Germany, the son of Hans and Erna (Matzen) Detlefsen. He came from Germany on December of 1948. He was baptized into Christ on April 14, 1957 and later confirmed his faith on December 14, 1980. Gunner attended 1^st grade at the Morgan #5, 3 miles west of town and graduated from Schleswig High School with the Class of 1961.

Gunner attended airline school in Kansas City, Missouri and worked for Eastern Airlines at Midway in Chicago and moved to Ohara Field in 1962. When Eastern Airline went on a long strike, Gunner returned to Schleswig and began working with his father where they went into partnership together forming Detlefsen Construction. On November 7, 1964, Gunner was united in marriage to Joyce Preul at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.  They were blessed with two boys: Scott and Brad and the family made their home in Schleswig. Gunner later continued his construction career working for a nationwide construction company; building countless major retail stores and restaurants, leaving his footprint across this entire country.

He was the president of the Jaycees, Scout Leader for 16 years which produced multiple Eagle Scouts, 14 years on the City Council, Trustee at Immanuel Lutheran Church, many years on the Mission Board, and was a member of the Schleswig Fire Department. Gunner had a great love for fishing, making many memories to Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Canada, and his ultimate trip to Alaska. He enjoyed doing yard work and mowing with his John Deere. Above all, he cherished his family more than anything.

Gunner passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, attaining the age of 80 years, 9 months, and 5 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Erna Detlefsen; brothers-in-law: Robert Ragsdell, Delbert (Lorraine) Preul, and Rovanis Preul; sister-in-law, Janice (Howard) Christiansen; nephews, Cory Preul and Dudley Preul; and niece, Velva McCuen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Detlefsen of Schleswig; sons: Scott Detlefsen and his wife Kathleen and their son, Joseph Detlefsen all of LaVista, Nebraska; Brad Detlefsen and his wife Monica and their children: Matthew Detlefsen and Thomas Detlefsen all of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Erika Ragsdell of Millington, Tennessee; God-daughter, Contessa Siders of Vermillion, South Dakota; siblings-in-law: Larry Preul and his wife Mary of Henderson, Nevada, Gary Preul and his wife Barb of Denison, Darrell Preul and his wife Linda of Knoxville, Tennessee, Darlene and her husband Dick Rudner of Scottsdale, Arizona, Rick Preul and his wife Deb of Kiron, and Berneil Preul of Denison; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation with Family Greeting Friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Gunner’s Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024 also at the church with burial to follow in the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig. Memorials may be directed to the family.