Kenneth "Gene" Layman

With overwhelming sadness, we announce the passing of Kenneth Eugene Layman, age 94, of Omaha, NE. Born to Herschel Wilber Layman and Lola Viola (Dennis), “Gene” grew up on a farm near Herman, NE, with his six siblings. It was here, nestled in the expanse of the countryside, that he climbed trees to see the tops of the hills around him. The spot where he hunted for arrowheads and drove on dusty county roads when he was a teenager, his full and adventurous life began. After graduating from Fremont High School, Gene joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served for six years. While stationed in North China, he fought many horrendous battles and sustained hearing loss. If you had the opportunity to talk with Gene, he likely regaled you with many war stories. From the terrifying moments in the foxhole in the cold winters to when he spent time at Camp Pendleton, throwing around the football with his fellow soldiers. His stories will haunt you but, at the same time, will teach you what he holds dear to his heart: family, faith, and service. After his military service, Gene returned to the United States and enrolled in a Printing School in Charles City, Iowa. His hard work and dedication came to pass when he moved from Iowa to Ohio and finally settled in Omaha as a Printing Engineer at Omaha World-Herald for several years. Following the World-Herald, he started his own Printing Company, Layman Printing. Along with developing this enterprise, Gene worked as a Plant Engineer at Gate City Steel Company but soon found his niche as an Engineer at Rotella’s. As the busy years flew by, and before his retirement at 65 years old, he had bought a beautiful ten-acre parcel of land in Fort Calhoun, built a home, and happily began what he truly loved to do – spend more time with his growing family. In retirement, you would regularly find Gene whistling Johnny Cash songs while driving his old Dodge truck, fishing at Cunningham Lake, or grilling burgers on the 4th of July. Frequently, he would be herding and feeding the stray cats that wandered onto his property. Soon enough, his grandchildren named those cats, and Gene built a cat house with lights to keep them warm at night. He mentioned, well happily complained, about them in his annual Christmas letter he sent to the family. His infectious smile and laugh radiated brightly when his family was near. On December 23, 1951, Gene married Alberta Irene Hundley, and together they had six children. Annette, Gerald, Darrell, Marlene, Donna, and Dale filled Gene and Alberta’s life for the duration of their fifteen-year marriage. Gene then married Opal Arlene Paxton (Hooten) on February l8, 1969, in Omaha, Nebraska. She brought into the family four children: Robert, Mark, Arlinda, and Jackie, making it ten children. Yes, ten children in their small home. Quickly, the family moved to a larger home in Elkhorn, NE. Gene and Opal then sealed their marriage on February 18, 1975, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Gene’s faith and guidance in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints saw him become the Branch President of the first ward in Blair, NE, and multiple leadership roles bestowed on him through the years. His devotion to service enabled him to mentor and inspire his fellow church members as he joyfully served as a Temple Ordinance Worker in the St. Louis, Chicago, and Omaha Temples for over twenty-nine years. On top of that, Gene loved his Home Teaching visits, volunteering (well, really delightedly informing people) of Opal’s Gingerbread houses on display at the Visitors Center, or helping the Boy Scouts with campouts. One of Gene’s most remarkable feats was participating in the 150th anniversary of the reenactment of the Mormon trail to Utah. Time and time again, Gene was readily available and willing to help in any way. He touched countless lives with his faithfulness and goodwill. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Viola Layman, brothers Carl and Raime, sisters Cleda and Cloda, and son Darrell Layman. He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Opal Layman, sons Jerry (Mary) Layman, Dale Layman, daughters Annette (Neil) Hinckley, Marlene Amodeo, and Donna Layman. Stepsons Mark (Alice) Paxton, Bob (Linda) Paxton, stepdaughters Arlinda Hemmerling, Jackie (Ed) Myers, sisters Anita and Jeanenne, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints at 17606 Spaulding St. Omaha NE at 11:00 A.M. Commitment Ceremony at the Omaha National Veterans Cemetery on Monday, March 7, 2022, 9:00 A.M.