Sherrill "Sherry" Ann Blaha

Sherrill “Sherry” Ann (Van Kirk) Blaha, 84, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 18, 2026, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with Pastor Dale Brown officiating. A private family interment will follow. The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials in Sherry’s honor be made to the Panhandle Humane Society on behalf of her beloved companion, Ginger. The service will be livestreamed and recorded on Sherry’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Sherry was born on January 18, 1942, in Scottsbluff to Maurice M. Van Kirk and Lucille Maxine (Guthrie) Van Kirk. While her father served in World War II, Sherry and her mother lived in North Platte with her maternal grandparents.

Following her father’s return from military service, the family eventually relocated to Chadron, where her parents managed the Chadron Record newspaper. During that time, her sister, Mary, was born. The family later moved to Gering during Sherry’s junior year of high school. She graduated from Gering High School in 1960.

During the summer of 1960, Sherry met the love of her life, Dick Blaha. The couple married on September 2, 1961, and together built a life filled with love, dedication, and adventure. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Wyoming, Colorado, and Minnesota before returning to Nebraska in 1973, making Gering their permanent home.

Sherry and Dick were blessed with three children: Jeff, Connie, and Kim. Their family grew to include seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom brought Sherry tremendous joy and pride.

Sherry built a successful and respected career while also devoting herself wholeheartedly to her family. Over the years, she worked as a receptionist for Dr. L.R. Whitaker, an office manager for Western Auto, as an office clerk and warranty manager for Blaha GMC-AMC-Jeep, and advertisement receptionist for the Star Herald. Her most favorite and accomplished role was serving as the Scottsbluff County Emergency Management Director from 1982 until her retirement in 2008. During those 26 years, she guided the county through some of its most difficult moments, including tornadoes, fires, train derailments, and even the sugar factory explosion.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sherry dedicated much of her life to public service. Her political career included one term on the Gering City Council and two terms as a Scotts Bluff County Commissioner. She also served on numerous local and state boards and committees. Sherry believed deeply in honesty, integrity, and standing up for the underdog. She enjoyed public service and valued being a voice for the people she represented.

Above all else, Sherry cherished her family. She skillfully balanced a successful career while raising her children and creating a loving home. Some of her family’s favorite memories included summer trips to her parents’ home and her sister’s home in eastern Nebraska, camping adventures, and treasured time spent together at the family cabin at Lake Minatare.

Sherry will be remembered for her strength, compassion, unwavering faith in Christ, and deep love for her family and community. Her legacy of service, kindness, and devotion will continue to live on in all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by children Jeff (Janie) Blaha of rural Mitchell, NE, Connie (Doug) Rupp of Norfolk, NE, and Kim (Alan) Gilliam of Madison, MS; sister, Mary Cushing of Pine Bluffs, WY; grandchildren, Tom (Braelyn) Blaha of Scottsbluff, Jacob (Shay) Blaha of Gering, David Rupp of Scottsbluff, Alexis Rupp of Scottsbluff, Calin (Ashton) Skudlarek of Jacksonville, FL, Isabella Borgos of O’ahu, Hawaii, and Anthony Borgos of Madison, MS; great-grandchildren, Freya Blaha and Traven Jackson of Scottsbluff, Jude, Luke, and Violet Blaha of Gering, Hunter Ash of Scottsbluff, and Jacob and Everett Skudlarek of Jacksonville, FL; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special family friends, Jack and Shar Medearis and Melvin Bernhardt.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her parents; and brother-in-law, Bill Cushing.