Kenneth "Ken" G. Gaughen
October 1, 1952 - June 8, 2025
Kenneth G. 'Ken' Gaughen, age 72, of Fremont
Died Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Nebraska Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Ken was born October 1, 1952 in North Bend, Nebraska to Martin and Thelma 'Olsen' Gaughen. He was raised in Cedar Bluffs, and after losing his parents at a young age, Ken lived with his brother, Tom, and his sister-in-law, LeAnne. Following graduation from Cedar Bluffs High School in 1970, he served in the Nebraska Air National Guard from 1970 to 1977. Ken also attended Universal Technical Institute in Omaha to learn auto body and fender repair. He worked for Cerny Auto Body in Wahoo and owned his own shop in Cedar Bluffs before becoming the Body Shop Manager at Sid Dillon in Fremont. In 1991, Ken became one of the first paintless dent repair specialists in Nebraska, owning and operating Fix-A-Dent in Fremont until retirement.
Ken loved doing yard work and gardening. He took great pride in his lawn and grew a variety of produce and flowers every year. He enjoyed working on classic cars and really anything that he could use his hands to fix or repair. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and attended Major League Baseball Umpire School in Florida. He spent many summers playing baseball and slow pitch softball and was a member of the first Fremont team ever to win the Class A men's slow pitch softball state tournament. Ken shared his love of baseball and softball coaching numerous teams in Cedar Bluffs and Fremont for multiple years. He treasured his time attending his grandchildren's activities, which ranged from dance recitals to music programs and sporting events. Ken had been a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Cedar Bluffs, Pohocco Lutheran Church south of Fremont, and recently joined Lord of Hosts Church in Omaha.
Ken married Janey Bertelsen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont on October 7, 1978.
Survivors:
Wife - Janey of Fremont
Children - Julie (Carl) Warford and their children Kylie, Ellie, and Carson of Wahoo
Jill (Jacob) Pokorny and their children Owen, Emmett, and Anderson of Wahoo
Kevin (Angie) Gaughen and their children Kamdin, Beckett, and Aizley of Hickman
Kasey (Victoria) Gaughen and their children Gentry, Leo, and Penny of Wahoo
Sister - Jean Furches of Omaha
Sister-in-law - LeAnne Gaughen of Cedar Bluffs
Brother-in-law - Jerry (Karen) Bertelsen of Valley
Many nieces and nephews
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Marty, Chuck, and Tom, and brother-in-law, Don Furches. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Leonard Bertelsen, mother-in-law, Rosie Bertelsen, and brother-in-law, Jim Bertelsen. Memorials are suggested to Aspire for Greatness in Fremont or Special Olympics (Elkhorn Top Dogs).
Visitation will be Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont from 3pm to 8pm, with the family present from 5pm to 7pm. The funeral will be 2pm, Friday, June 13, 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cedar Bluffs.
Please join the family for a Celebration of Life at Bethlehem Lutheran Church after the burial to have a Coke and a smile for Ken.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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