Gerald Dawayne Fortkamp

Gerald Dawayne Fortkamp, 83, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

He was born July 1, 1940 near Enders Nebraska in Chase County. He was the son of Albert John Fortkamp and Pauline Mathilda Frerichs.

He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran church near rural Wauneta Nebraska and was confirmed at Peace Lutheran church in McCook Nebraska. He attended public school in McCook and graduated high school in 1959.

He began his career with the Burlington Northern Railroad as a signal maintainer in 1959.

He married Cathie Gochis of McCook Nebraska in 1961 to this union had four sons, Mark, Daniel, Kevin and Troy.

He lived his remaining life in Wray, Colorado for over 43 years. He retired in 2002 after 43 years of service with the railroad.

He was preceded in death by his father Albert J. Fortkamp, his stepfather Joe Horacek and mother Pauline Horacek.

He is survived by his sons, Mark and (Renee) Fortkamp of Glendale Arizona, Daniel and (Kristina) Fortkamp of Severance Colorado, Kevin and (Sonia) Fortkamp of Peoria Arizona, Troy Fortkamp and (Stephanie Klecker) of Alamosa Colorado, his sweetheart Mila LaValley of Bird City Kansas, his sister Judy and (Terry) Kyle of Wichita Kansas, step brother Joe and (Shirley) Horacek of Sedalia Missouri, niece Teri and (Jim) Williams of Wichita Kansas, 4 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 1:00pm at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home located at 427 Adams St. in Wray Colorado.

Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home has been entrusted to handling the arrangements.