Vonda Loomis-Gigax

Vonda Elaine (Wilson) Loomis-Gigax was born June 1, 1929, to Dorsey and Lula (Gray) Wilson at the family farm in Hayes County Nebraska. She departed this life in North Platte, Nebraska  on August 13, 2020, at the age of 91.

Vonda attended Hayes County Schools and graduated in 1946. She taught school two years in District 29 and three years in Hayes Center Elementary District 4.

Vonda married Reed V. Loomis Jr., June 3, 1949. To this union three children were born: Lonnie Jay, LeAvis Renee, and Kirt Allan. They farmed for many years north of Hayes Center on an acreage homesteaded by Edwin Loomis.

Her life was busy cooking, gardening, canning, raising chickens, and milking cows. Vonda also spent many hours sewing for the school, pep club girls, and many other friends. She also sewed the family shirts, pjs, slacks, and dresses. She served as a Cadet Girl Scout Leader, County Extension Board, Housing Authority Board, and was an honorary FFA member.

After leaving the farm and moving to Hayes Center, Vonda sold feed for RiteMix, worked at the Double E Cafe, and worked ten years as the secretary for the Hayes County Elementary School, a job she truly loved. She was the first female volunteer for the Hayes Center Fire Department serving as it's secretary for ten years and as an EMT on the ambulance team.

Vonda accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. She was a member of the Congregational Church for many years where she taught Adult Sunday School. She also directed the choir from 1968-1986, she also served as church clerk.

In 1986 the Loomis family moved from Hayes Center to Mitchell, Nebraska.  While living in Mitchell Vonda directed the Federated Church Choir for ten years where she served as a Trustee and Deaconess. She was secretary for the Scottsbluff County Lawman and Seniors for six years.  Vonda worked in an antique store as a clerk and bookkeeper.  She was an auction cashier for her son Lonnie for a number of years.  Her husband Reed passed away in 2000.  Vonda moved back to Hayes County in 2002 and married Paul Gigax.

Vonda had a large collection of ceramic cardinals, chickens, wall pockets and lots of cobalt blue glass. Everyone who knew Vonda also knew she loved football and volleyball, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers, win or lose.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Reed Loomis, husband Paul Gigax, son Lonnie Loomis, grandson Kyle Sullivan, son-in-law Gary Sullivan, brothers Virgil and Dwaine Wilson, sister Shirley Bishop, brothers-in-law: Lenord Walker, Gerry Felker, Edwin and Ronald Loomis, Roger, Boyd, and Gilbert Gigax; sisters-in-laws: Kay Wilson, Patricia Wilson, Neva Loomis, Donna Loomis, Greta Gigax; nephews: Scott Loomis, Steven Wilson, Mark Felker and niece Carol Wilson.

She leaves to mourn her passing: daughter LeAvis Sullivan and friend Jay Clarke; son Kirt and his wife Sharon Loomis; grandchildren Kristin Sullivan, Blake Loomis, Reina Loomis, Shane Loomis and his wife Yesenia; five great-grandsons Lewis Stewart, Reed, Joseph, and Benjamin Loomis Molina, Dominick Loomis; two great granddaughters Estrella and Briza Loomis, sisters Velma Walker and Sharon Felker and brother Darwin Wilson; brothers and sisters-in-law Jack Bishop, Donald and LaVerda Loomis, Jack and Hazel Loomis, Norma Wilson, Barbara Gigax, Patricia Gigax, numerous nieces, nephews, their spouses, and a multitude of friends.