Galen L. Moon, 94, of Grand Island passed away Thursday Sept. 7, 2017, and Patricia Anne Moon, 93, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, at Good Samaritan in Grand Island.
Memorial services for Galen and Patricia will be at a later date. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com
Galen was born June 3, 1923, at Crook, Colo., to Jesse Arthur and Mary Edith (Beebe) Moon. He grew up in Fullerton, Ravenna, and Kearney. He graduated from Kearney High School in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1945, and served in World War II. He was honorably discharged in June 1946, as a Yeoman Third Class.

Galen was a lifetime master salesman. He bonded very early with his father, who was a great entrepreneur and inspiration. He worked with his father, Jesse, to establish Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. He was associated with the cemetery for many decades before founding M & W Auto, Moon's Pontiac/Honda/BMW, Moon's Toyota in North Platte, and Avis Rent-A-Car. His final adventure, which lasted 22 years, was as an award-winning Red Carpet real estate agent and broker in the Phoenix area. He achieved the distinction of being a Multi-Million Dollar Producer. Galen and Patricia managed Karmella, a seniors-only mobile home park in Mesa, Ariz., for several years before returning to Nebraska for a well-deserved retirement.
Galen was a member of the First Presbyterian churches in Grand Island and Gilbert, Ariz.. He helped raise funds for building of each of these churches. Galen had a lifetime love of cars. He and Patricia both enjoyed the Nebraska and Arizona Hudson car clubs, and all the friends they made. Galen was a 32 Degree Master Mason Ashlar Lodge 33, Order of Scottish Rite, and Tehama Shrine Temple in Hastings. He was a lifetime VFW member in Ravenna and Chandler, Ariz., and past member of VFW in Grand Island.
In 2012, Galen and son-in-law Troy were selected to be a part of the Hall County WWII Hero Flight to Washington, D.C. It was a profound experience for both. Galen called it one of the highlights of his life.
Patricia Anne was born Jan. 29, 1924, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Benjamin F. and Ruth Anne (Hansen) Palmer. She grew up in Missouri Valley, Iowa. She attended Missouri Valley High School and the Omaha Methodist School of Nursing, graduating in 1945 as a registered nurse.
Galen and Patricia were introduced by Calvin (Galen's brother) and Barb (Patricia's sister). It was love at first sight, and they were married on July 6, 1946, in Belville, Kan. This began a 71-year love affair that is now eternal. The couple lived in several communities before settling in Grand Island in the mid 1940s. Patricia was employed at St. Francis and Lutheran hospitals, but the majority of her distinguished nursing career was at the Nebraska Veterans Hospital. She was one of the first nurses hired and helped establish the ICU.

Patricia began singing solos at the age of 4 in the Missouri Valley Methodist Church. She enjoyed being in the church choir, and had a beautiful alto soprano voice. Patricia loved murder mysteries, crossword puzzles and playing cards. She was involved with the League of Women Voters and promoted the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Her greatest joy was singing to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she rocked them to sleep.
Galen and Patricia were raised with much love, and they gave much love in return to their family and friends. Their love story was extraordinary. They were truly meant to be together in life and in heaven.
Galen and Patricia are survived by their children, Tricia (Troy) Moon-Beem of Grand Island and Carol (George) Sheaff of Worland, Wyo.; grandchildren, Shannon, John, Chandra, Micah and Jesse; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Madalynn, and Keziah; Patricia's sisters, Suzanne Keeler of Chula Vista, Calif., and Gayle Mrsny of Norfolk; a nephew, Bill (Gay) Roberts, and family of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
They were preceded in death by their parents; Galen's brothers, Arden, Harris and Calvin; Patricia's brother, Jim Palmer; Patricia's sisters, Marylou Mabe and Barbara Roberts; a granddaughter, Kristin Sheaff; two infant sons, Richard Allen and Jesse Galen; and an adult son, Craig Allen Moon.