Gordon Whitten, Sr

Hastings resident, Gordon D. Whitten, Sr., 71, passed away Friday, November 28, 2014 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Wednesday, December 3, 2014; 1:00 P.M. at Butler Volland Chapel, Hastings with Pastor Dale Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to Gordon D. Whitten, Sr. Memorial Fund. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 2, 2014; 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with family present from 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Visitation will also be from 9:00 A.M. until services on Wednesday.

Gordon was born June 5, 1943 in Webster County, near Guide Rock, Nebraska to J.J. and Helen C. (Matteson) Whitten. On July 21, 1963 he married Barbara A. Miller. They moved from Harvard to Hastings in 1987. Gordon loved going to his kids and grandkids activities like sporting events, concerts, and dance recitals. One of his favorite ways to spend time with his family was going to Husker football games. He shared an interest in coin collecting with his grandson, Gabe, and was proud of his grandchildren. Gordon was an accomplished, self-taught country and western musician who played the guitar, banjo, bass guitar, and piano. He also played a pretty mean fiddle that was always one of the highlights at the dances he played. He was the band leader and lead singer with the Western Wanderers band that entertained audiences and dance-goers for over 30 years. He was inducted into the Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leonard Whitten.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Barbara Whitten - Hastings, NE
Daughters & Sons-in-law:
Sandra & Brian Soucie - Elkhorn, NE
Diane & Shane Pierce - Vienna, VA
Sons & Daughters-in-law:
Gordon & Karry Whitten, Jr. - Elkhorn, NE
Travis & Heidi Whitten - Elkhorn, NE
Grandchildren:
Aaron, Erika, and Jordanne Soucie
Chloe and Tristan Pierce
Lexie, Gabe, and Gavin Whitten
Brenna and Logan Whitten
Siblings & Spouse:
Irene & Lloyd Colfack - Grand Island, NE
Wilson D. Whitten - Grand Island, NE