During her marriage to Dennis Bergmeier of Plymouth, NE, Gayle was blessed with two sons – Elijah and Luke. She was a dedicated, loving, and caring mother who was grateful for the opportunity to tend to her children and their family home. In 1984, Gayle and her sons moved to Lincoln, NE, where she accepted the position of Managing Director at the University Place Art Center and was subsequently promoted to Executive Director. For 16 years she used her skills and vision to significantly expand the Center in size, quality, and scope. Gayle enabled the Center to purchase and transform an adjoining building for the establishment of a public art program for children. She was a recognized leader in the local arts and business communities, serving as a member and Chair of the Lincoln Arts Council, an adjunct faculty member at Nebraska Wesleyan University, member of the Nebraska Wesleyan Arts Council, and board member of the University Place Business Association. A gifted artist in her own right, she also developed a federally registered artistic process entitled “mosaic collage” with her mother.
In 2002, she found her true calling at St. Marks United Methodist Church (UMC), serving as the Director of Singles Ministry until 2011 and subsequently as Director of Adult Ministry until her retirement in 2019. In these capacities, she was able to use her love for the Lord to minister and care for others by helping to coordinate ministry programs for a congregation of over four thousand people, supporting many small groups, leading divorce recovery programs, and providing counseling for those in need. She will be remembered as being a supportive, caring, vibrant and nurturing leader. St. Mark’s UMC is also where she met Ron Schroeder. Ron proved to be the love of her life. The two were married on April 14, 2012, and both reveled in the growth of their families.
Gayle was well known for her hospitality and enjoyed welcoming others into her home. Christmas Eve at Gayle’s often included beloved “orphans” that simply needed a place to share the holiday, and she was famous for the breakfast open houses that she and Ron hosted annually. A home cooked meal was a frequent expression of her love, with delicious soups, pies, biscuits and gravy, and cookies being some of her specialties.
Gayle is survived by her husband, Ron; her children, Elijah (Felicia) Bergmeier of Farmington, MO, Luke Bergmeier, of Eagle, NE, Tracy (Michael) Caves of Lincoln, NE, Justin (Rachel) Schroeder of Lincoln, NE, Ryan (Jaclyn) Schroeder of Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren Elliott, Aedan, Molly, Tristen, Jackson, Cole, and Isaiah; sister Rozann (Scott) Trusdale of Cozad, NE; and niece Deidre (RJ) Wendel of Holt, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Depke Andres.
Memorial services commemorating Gayle’s life will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC in Lincoln, NE. Those who wish to designate gifts in Gayle’s memory can do so to St. Mark’s UMC or BraveBe Child Advocacy Center.
Live stream link, CLICK HERE.