Kevin Baugher, Sr.

COLUMBUS, Nebraska — A Celebration of Life Service for Kevin M. Baugher, Sr., 65, of Columbus, Nebraska will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Pastor Pat Cool officiating. There will be a visitation from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Gass Haney Funeral Home. The service will be be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page.

Kevin M. Baugher, Sr., 65, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at his home in Columbus.

Kevin was born in Robbinsdale (a suburb of Minneapolis), on May 15, 1956, to Jerry and Mary (Lindberg) Baugher. His family moved to California when Kevin was 5 years old. At 12 years old, his family returned to Minnesota and lived in Minneota. Kevin went to McCrossan Boys Ranch at age 14 and lived there until age 18. He traveled all over the United States doing construction work, which became his life’s career and passion.

Kevin was working in Norfolk, Nebraska, when he met Brenda Hawkinson. They married in Norfolk on July 11, 1992, and started their own construction business as general contractors. They moved to Columbus in 2006.

Kevin continued doing construction until he was disabled by osteoarthritis. He underwent two hip replacements, back surgery and many injections. In December of 2016, Kevin survived two heart attacks in one night and had a stent placed in his artery. In 2017, Kevin was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. In December of 2020 Kevin was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy from January to July. He started Comfort Care on August 2nd and continued until he passed on September 16, 2021.

Kevin is survived by: wife Brenda Baugher of Columbus, NE, father Jerry Baugher of Eagle River, AK, daughter Bobi Jo (Chad) Perry of Defuniak Springs, FL, son Kevin Baugher, Jr. of Warren, son Michael Baugher of Roseau, son Jerome (Taylor) Baugher of Tilden, NE, sister Rita (Dan) Kosterman of Eagle River, AK, brother Stephen (Peg) Baugher of Marshall, brother Terry (Ellen) Baugher of Dawson, sister Barb (Steve) Stirn of Worthington, sister Kelli (Steve) Nothem of Gilcrest, CO, sister Jan (Rob) Case of Guthrie, OK, sister Maria (Daniel) Settles of Tulsa, OK, 10 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews

Kevin was preceded in death by his mother Mary Baugher.