Lloyd Bairn

Lloyd A. Bairn, 82, formerly of Morrill Ne, passed away May 18, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Gering, where he was currently living. His daughter had been his caretaker for the last 1 ½ years, she was at his side when he passed.

His celebration of life will be held Friday May 29th at 10am at Federated Church in Mitchell, Ne. with Dale Brown officiating. Viewing will be at Holecek-Bondegard Funeral Home in Oshkosh on Saturday May 30th from 9am-11am, with graveside service at Ash Hollow Cemetery at 1pm with John Mulholland Jr. officiating.

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Homes and Cremation in Oshkosh is serving the Bairn family.

Lloyd was born October 1, 1943, in Ogallala, Ne. to Carl Edward Bairn and Florence (Bailey) Bairn. He was the youngest of 4 boys. After graduating from High School at Curtis, Ne. in 1961, he worked on the family farm. Then on Aug 16, 1964, he married Karen L. Acker.

He still farmed for a few more years and then moved to Julesburg, CO and later to Holyoke, CO, were he then began his life long journey of Grocery Store Business by asking the local grocer to give him a job so he could pay off his grocery bill that the farming was making it impossible to pay. He later became the Assistant Manager in Brush, CO and then Ft Morgan, CO at Safeway. He worked for Safeway for the next 25 years.

During those years, he and Karen adopted 2 children, Greg and Tina. He, along with Karen, also fostered 29 children over the next 30 years as well. In 1984, Lloyd left Safeway and he moved his family back to his roots in Nebraska and bought his own Grocery Store in Morrill. He owned and operated Village Foods, for the next 26 years.

Sadly in 1988, Lloyd and Karen’s Son Greg died and that took its toll on their marriage also and after 41 years of marriage they divorced. He never remarried as Karen really was the love of his life. Lloyd was also very proud of his Granddaughters, all 4 of them, as each came into his life, even though for many years he was working and didn’t get to very many activities, he still loved hearing about their accomplishments. Lloyd then retired in 2010 and began to do some traveling. Before his 1st overseas trip in 2011 he was still a smoker, but after coming back from that trip he was sick and it allowed him to make the hard stop of smoking.

He only stayed retired for 1 ½ years and then was asked to and re-opened Mitchell Market in Mitchell, Ne. along with his partner Josh Dykes. Then due to warehouse changes 6 years later, he decided at age 70 it was truly time to completely retire again. He traveled to a total of 29 countries. In 2022, he got to travel on the one trip that he and his daughter wanted to go on together, along with his son-in-law and his 2 grandchildren, it was a trip of a lifetime, and they loved the time together. Lloyd also got to go to many Soccer, Cross Country and Softball games, music programs and awards banquets for his granddaughters, Tukker and Breeana. He was truly proud of them and their accomplishments. He has been excited with each Great-Grandchild that was coming along now too and often tried to tell Tina that she made him OLD, she would laugh and say “no your grandkids did”. Unfortunately, Lloyd ended up having 2 strokes from Aug 2024 to Oct 2024, then another in Jan 2025. He was doing very well from 2025 until May 2026 when he suffered the 4th and final stroke that took his life. His daughter had become his caregiver and enjoyed the time God gave them and stayed by his side till his passing.

Lloyd is survived by his daughter Tina (Buck) Romey of Gering, NE, Granddaughters Allison (Ryan) Haskin of Seward, Ne., Cortnie (Dakota) Douglas of Gering Ne., Tukker (Cody) Catron of Dalton, Ne., Breeana Romey of Gering, Ne. 1 Great Grandson Thomas Haskin, 3 Great Granddaughters Taylor Haskin, Spencer Douglas, and Cassandra Catron. Brothers Gerald Bairn of Oshkosh, Ne, Leonard (Dorothy) Bairn of Lewellen, Ne., Sister(s) in law Verna Bairn of Riverton, WY, Barbara (Gene) Williams and Brenda Mercure all of Cheyenne, WY, Mary Acker of Edgerton, MO, Jaynie (Brian) Wells of Swansea, IL, Donna (Bruce) Bennett of Box Elder, SD., Brother in law Jim (Pam) Acker of Cozad, NE. Along with 13 nieces and 7 nephews. Many lifelong friends.

He is preceded in death by his son Gregory Bairn, Ex-Wife Karen Acker, Father Carl Bairn Mother Florence Bairn, Father-in-law(s) James Acker and Clarence Mercure, Mother-in-law(s) Bonnie Acker and Helen Mercure, Brother Edgar Bairn, Brother-in-law(s) Billy Acker, Gary Acker and Bob Acker, Maternal and paternal Grandparents.