Abraham George McFarling

Abraham George McFarling was born on October 7, 1937 in Huron, SD. He was the youngest of nine children born to Asa and Olive Taylor McFarling. He was called to be with the Lord on Independence Day, July 4, 2025.

George graduated from Huron SD High School and was active in FFA while assisting his father on the pioneer family farm near Wolsey, SD. The large farm also included an extensive turkey operation.

George attended and excelled in a one-room country school. His mother, a former teacher, was influential in George’s love of the Lord and scripture and his solid lifetime of faith and service to others. He was proud of his Scotch and German forbears and joked of his reputed Scottish clan history of cattle rustling.

He met the love of his life, Jeanette Lewison, a University of South Dakota classmate of his sister, on a shared Christmas trip to visit a brother in Cheyenne, Wyoming, trying out his new (and very cozy) 1956 Ford Thunderbird. For 65 years Jeanette, raised on a pioneer farm north of Vermillion, SD with two beloved brothers, Stan and Clark, was his enthusiastic partner.

George and Jeanette were married on July 2, 1960 at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church north of Vermillion. Together, George and Jeanette made a loving and forceful team. In one of his most meaningful projects, George led the original construction of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church (now this Gretna Standing Stone building) started by 5 or 6 families with a basement prayer group. As an elder, George shepherded their dedication to a purpose-built structure to meet the needs of a dynamic, growing congregation.

George’s career had many facets: as a builder of fine homes; developer of the distinctive Lyman Hylands Community; as a project consultant; teacher and father to sons Russ and Randy. He found time to finish his master’s degree at Wayne State University and complete 20 years of teaching.

A shared joy for George and Jeanette was their leadership in AWANA, the acclaimed international Christian youth organization. Their sons were included in the area youth who flourished under its effective programs. George and many volunteers spent years and countless hours dedicated to serving young people. He would later count AWANA as his most important undertaking. George served in the U.S. Army and National Guard and was a member of the American Legion.

As a mentor and teacher – his students gave him the high accolade of “Coach”, George is still remembered in Papillion for his fine homes built by his High School classes. They won awards for building the strongest trusses in competitions sponsored by UNO, many going on to lifetime building occupations.

Many honors came his way as a builder, but most important was the opportunity to work with his sons as they grew older. In 1991, he received a significant award from the Nebraska Society of Architects for the preservation of the historic Cass House. George was a member of the Gretna Chamber of Commerce for many years. He was a more than 30-year member of the Gretna Optimist Club, receiving their 2010 “Lucky Winner Award” for dedicated leadership. He was known for his participation in the Annual Pinewood Derby and his skill in helping with this event.

Hunting and fishing were great loves of the McFarling family. George enjoyed many trips to the “wilds” of Texas, Wyoming, Arizona, South Dakota, Minnesota, Canada, and New Mexico on elk, deer and pheasant hunting expeditions with his sons and later with grandsons Max and Jake. He and Jeanette made a legendary trip to the Boundary waters of Minnesota that still provides family stories, and George’s yearly summer fish fries and grilling gatherings were favorites.

From the time Russ and Randy were little, George loved to travel. The family traveled around the country visiting many historic sites including a stop at every U.S. capital. As George and Jeanette grew older, they began to travel internationally. They went everywhere in the world they wanted to go. The next trip they were planning was to the Matterhorn.

Never finding time to retire, George at age 77 joined son Russ in forming Hylands Ag Services, a Crop-Dusting firm. George loved working with his sons and spending time with his grandchildren. He was still working with son Randy who took over and expanded the original McFarling Construction, extending it as a legacy for future generations.

George is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanette, sons Russell and Randy, grandchildren Jake, Max and Ruby. Also surviving his sister, Vivian Lowe, his brothers-in-law, Stanley and Clark Lewison, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and grieving friends.

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The quiet ones are the most observant people. They know more than you realize.

Many times, George was the quietest one in the room – listening, processing, and analyzing. He put thought into his words and when he spoke, people listened. He had immense wisdom and an abundance of patience. I could always appreciate his perspectives even when we didn’t agree with each other. If you were fortunate enough to experience his humorous side, it was well timed, including the perfect build up, followed by cackling laughter. Typically, in direct correlation to the antics of Jeanette! Looking for an honest opinion or feedback, George was your go-to. He was typically spot on in his advice to others and had a solid read on people. Passionate about flying, teaching, building, government, the stock market, and most importantly his family and God. Always the first to lead the blessing with his calming voice and thoughts, and so willing to give of himself openly to the betterment of others.

Stacey Olsan-Fletcher, friend

Gretna - Survived by wife Jeanette, sons Russ and Randy, family and friends.

Visitation Friday (7/11/2025) 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary.

Funeral Service 10:30 AM Saturday (7/12/2025) at Standing Stone Bible Church 321 S Highway 6 Gretna, NE. Service will be live streamed https://standingstonebible.church/streaming

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090 www.RoederMortuary.com