Lloyd L. Ginkens, Jr, 89, of Mullen, passed away July 23, 2015 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.
Lloyd “Ginks” was born October 30, 1925 in Mullen, NE to Lloyd and Sara (French) Ginkens. In the early years he attended a country school with Austin Ginkens and the John Barneby kids. In 1935 the family went broke and traveled to the West Coast. They didn’t have much luck with jobs so they returned to Nebraska and moved in with Grandpa and Grandma French. In the summer of 1938 the family rented a place north of Mullen on the Middle Loup River from McCully and Bramer.
Lloyd attended school in Mullen. He drove a truck for Ray Sexton after school and on the weekends once he was old enough to drive and in the summer time worked for his uncle Gerald French. After graduating from Mullen High School in 1943, he worked for Mullen Coop running a tank wagon delivery truck which he unloaded with a 5 gallon bucket. Lloyd joined the U.S. Army February 22, 1944. He was wounded and honorably discharged December 21, 1945, receiving a Purple Heart.
On June 14, 1949 Lloyd married Betty Fosdick in Mullen. They lived in the same house in Mullen all of their married life and he continued to live there after Betty’s death in 2002. “Ginks” went to work for Mathews Chevrolet Company and sold cars. In 1959 he became the Postmaster of Mullen retiring after 31 years in November, 1989.
“Ginks” was an active volunteer in the Mullen community. He was one of the first EMTs, running his own station wagon as an ambulance and later driving the Mullen ambulance. He was an original member of the “walking blood bank” and continued to be a blood donor throughout his life. Lloyd was the Commander of the American Legion Firing Squad for 60 years; Chairman of the Boys & Girls County Government Day for 50 years; served on the Mullen Volunteer Fire Department for 50 years; served on the Rodeo Committee for 30 years; was a Cub Master and helped with the Boy Scout Pine Wood Derby for 25 years; and served on the Mullen Golf Club Board of Directors while volunteering his labor for over 40 years at the course. “Gramps” was also a huge supporter of the youth and was selected the 2013 MHS Fan of the Year.
“Ginks” touched many lives in more ways than one and will be remembered for his quick comebacks and witty remarks. No matter where you went, he always ran into someone he knew. He loved life, his family, and friends. He was also very proud to be a World War II Infantry veteran.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, brother Jim and sisters Miriam (Johnny) Morris and Carol Hendrickson Volk. He is survived by his children: Tom (Nancy) Ginkens of Overton, Jean (Ron) Jones of Hastings and Dale (Pam) Ginkens of Mullen. Grandchildren Sarah Davenport, Rebecca (Carl) Schluckebier, Amanda Ginkens, Tina (Don) Nelson, Jason (Angie) Jones, Ryan (Jennifer) Jones, Jake Ginkens, Logan Ginkens and Ally Ginkens. Twelve Great Grandchildren: Drake, Jaylee, Trip, Barrett, Britton, Corbin, Keira, Kellen, Reese, Rowan, Kaiden and Kinleigh. Sisters-in-law Louise Ginkens and Johnna Morgan and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Per “Gink’s” request, in lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Sara Ginkens Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Mullen Ambulance Fund or donor’s choice.
Visitation will be Monday 9 AM to 7 PM MDT at the Mullen Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:30 PM MDT Tuesday, July 28 at the Lariat Auditorium in Mullen. Burial with Military Honors with American Legion Post #109 and VFW #5541 of Mullen will be at Cedarview Cemetery followed by fellowship at the Bullseye Building. “Ginks” said “no sense people getting all “fuzzed up” for this” so please dress casually. Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.