Father Gerald “Jerry” Wetovick of Cozad, 86, died May 25, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at Christ the King Church in Cozad. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday with family present from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.
Father Wetovick was born Nov. 23, 1935, in Fullerton, to Edward and Josephine (Mahony) Wetovick. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1953 and attended Kearney State Teachers college from 1954 to 58. He graduated from University of Nebraska Dental College in 1962. He married Patricia Jarosz on Aug. 19, 1961. They moved to Cozad in 1962 and had five children. He practiced dentistry in Cozad from 1962 to 2006.
He was an active member in several organizations including the school board, American Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, Northwest District Dental Society, coaching boys’ baseball and girls’ softball. He was active at Christ the King parish, Legion of Mary, a church trustee, cursillo, CCD teacher for 20 years, member of Knights of Columbus, Lector and Eucharistic minister. He enjoyed Husker Football, golfing, hunting, motorcycling, boating, fishing, and spending time at their Johnson Lake cabin with family.
After his wife’s death in 2007, he entered the seminary in Hales Corners, Wis. He was ordained on June 4, 2010, in Grand Island. He was associate pastor of Holy Spirit in North Platte and Sacred Heart Parish in Sutherland. He retired from active ministry in 2013 and moved into the Meadowlark Pointe assisted living facility in Cozad, where he remained until his death.
Survivors include his children Renee Hueftle of Cozad, Dave Wetovick of Eustis, Dr. Sheila Buchele of Carl Junction Mo., Paula Mackenzie of Lincoln, and Dr. Patrick Wetovick of Cozad; 14 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers, Bob and Don Wetovick; and sister, Sharon Spencer. Memorials are suggested to Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living, Christ the King Catholic Church or donor's choice.