Harold Hermelbracht

Harold Otto Hermelbracht, 74, of Pender, NE died on Monday, January 16, 2017 surrounded by his family at his home in Pender. Funeral services will be Friday, January 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko will be officiating.  The visitation will be Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery near Pender. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Harold was born September 28, 1942 in West Point, NE to Albert and Elfrieda (Predoehl) Hermelbracht. He was baptized September 28, 1942 in West Point, NE and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Harold graduated from Bancroft High School in 1960. On February 7, 1965, Harold married Judy Mayberry at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. As a young man he played softball and was a 4-H member and leader in Cuming County. He was an avid bowler, Cornhusker and Dodgers fan. Harold served on the board of the Northeast Nebraska Feeders Association, the Farmers Union Coop and the Northeast Coop. He also served on the Pender Township Board. Harold coached his family in showing dairy cattle in 4-H for over 18 years. He was also a farmer and dairy man for over 40 years, while also raising beef cattle, stock cattle, hogs, soybeans, corn, alfalfa, and hay. One of Harold’s joys was raising a team of Percheron draft horses. He loved to train and drive them, and showed them at the Cuming County Fair. A plaque is placed in his honor at the fairgrounds by his family. Harold was a dedicated father and grandfather. He loved his family. He was survived by his wife, Judy; children, Kellie (Steve) Wageman of Pender, NE, Kandie (Armando) Ambriz of West Point, NE, Kerrie (Russ) Renter of Pender, NE, Kristie (Evan) Widders of Morgantown, WV, and Katie (Ben) Brehmer of Pender, NE; sisters, Myra Larsen and Florence (Giles) Hannan; brothers, Richard (Marlene) Hermelbracht; grandchildren, Jordan (Jake) Ernesti, Kevin Wageman, Kyle Wageman, Kody Wageman, Rebecca McKay, Levi McKay, Rochelle (Brandon) Kai, Andrew (Alix) Ambriz, Alex Ambriz, DeAndra (Rick) Dirksneider, Alexis Renter, Harold Jase Sorenson, Justice Sorenson, Ryan (Ashley) Johnson, McKayla (B.J.) Lund, Ellie Widders, Owen Widders, Max Widders, Marshall Widders, Kolton Lehmkuhl, Rylee Lehmkuhl and Zoey Lehmkuhl; and great grandchildren, Sutton Ernesti, Karter Kai, Ricki Kai, Mason Dirksneider, Liam Dirksneider, Breck Dirksneider, Landon Johnson, Peyton Johnson, and Liam Lund. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Ronnie Hermelbracht; brothers, Lauren Hermelbracht and Myron Hermelbracht; and sister, Arlene Bird.