E'lonna D. Gesch's Obituary
E’lonna Gesch (Shavlik), age 93, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Born on September 4, 1931, in Bliss,(near Ewing) Nebraska, E'lonna was the daughter of Stephen and Jennie (Gunter) Shavlik. She grew up in Nebraska and graduated from high school in Chambers, Nebraska before continuing her education at the Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska.
While attending college in Lincoln, E'lonna met Harvey Gesch. Their bond grew strong, and when Harvey enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, E'lonna followed him to Oakland, California. They were married Aug 4th 1951 in San Diego while he was still serving. After his enlistment ended, the couple returned to Harvey’s hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, where they settled down in West Lincoln, and raised three children.
As Harvey advanced in his career with the local telephone company, LT&T—eventually becoming an area manager for Sutton and later Seward—E'lonna supported their growing family through several moves across Nebraska. After retirement, E'lonna and Harvey founded Helping Hands Ministries based out of McAllen, Texas.
From there, they dedicated themselves to supporting a local orphanage across the border in Mexico—a mission that reflected their deep faith and commitment to service.
While making trips to Texas to serve, they moved to Kansas and then to Geneva, Nebraska. After Harvey’s passing in Geneva, E'lonna continued her journey by moving first to Milligan, to be closer to her Eldest daughter and Grandkids, and later returning to Seward. She also made frequent visits to the East Coast to spend time with her youngest daughter and grandchildren who lived there. She loved visiting the beach, walking in the sand, going on cruises and lots of trips during her retirement years. Throughout her life’s many chapters and locations, she remained devoted to her family and faith.
E'lonna is lovingly remembered by her daughters Jean (Michael) Slocum and Patricia (Gustavo) Munoz; her brother Myron Shavlik; her sister Pam Hubel; nine grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harvey Gesch; her son Steve Gesch; her parents Stephen and Jenny Shavlik; and her sister Donna Shavlik Hubbard.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Elonna’s life was marked by devotion—to her family, to service through ministry, and above all to her Lord. Her family finds comfort knowing she is now at rest in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ—reunited with her beloved husband and son—and waiting patiently for the rest of her family to join her around the throne of grace.
May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.
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