Scott Wilder, 54, of Kearney, Neb., died Sunday, August 27, 2017 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm Friday, September 1, 2017 at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home with the Pastor Steve Shanno officiating. Interment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday and one hour prior to the service all at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Elizabeth Burn Center in Lincoln. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Scott Alan Wilder was born on July 25, 1963 in Wichita, KS to Don and JoAnn (Bauer) Wilder. He attended grade school in Wichita and Hays, KS, and graduated from Kearney High School in 1981.

Scott had a great love and compassion for animals. He and his brother, Randy, would catch feral cats and have them spayed or neutered. They would also give away any kittens they may have. His quick wit and humor was enjoyed by all that knew him.

He restored a 1969 GTO Judge as a show car and went to several local and a national GTO club show in Denver. He later sold the GTO to build a stock car for racing. On August 31, 2002, he was involved in an accident at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, NE. His car burst into flames and he was burned over 75 percent of his body. He spent seven and a half months in the St. Elizabeth Hospital Burn Center in Lincoln. After several surgeries and skin grafts he had an infection settle on his aortic valve and had the valve replaced. A month later he had a large cyst on his spleen. Now, 15 years later, the infection returned and again settled on the aortic valve.

Because of his disabilities he worked part time at Cash-Wa and helped his dad mow yards in the afternoons.

Scott is survived by his parents; his brothers, Danny Wilder, Mark and Mona (Lush) Wilder and Randy Wilder all of Kearney; his nephews, Shaun and Travis Wilder of Minden; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd and Edith Wilder and Conrad and Opal Bauer; cousins Casey Goodwin and Wendy O’Neel.