Darrel Dageforde passed from this life on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at BryanLGH West in
Lincoln
at the age of 71. He was born on May 10, 1939 at
Bruning
,
Nebraska
to Herman and Laverne Blanke Dageforde.
Darrel was baptized June 11, 1939 at Trinity Lutheran in Bruning and was confirmed on March 29, 1953.
As a teenager, the family moved to their homestead 5 miles south of
Hebron
.
When the farm economy was tight in 1956, the family moved to
Toledo
,
Ohio
, for a year where Darrel filled hardware orders during the day, and sold peanuts and popcorn in the arena at night.
Darrel married Rosemary H. Hulse on June 4, 1961, anticipating their golden anniversary this year.
Four children blessed this marriage, Deborah, Darren, Rochelle and Rick.
The couple farmed with Darrel's parents and later in partnership with Dick and Alice Percival, operating a beef and dairy herd with row crops.
In 2004, Rick joined the farming operation, expanding the business.
He particularly enjoyed auctions and buying cattle.
He collected antique Oliver tractors.
"Big D" raced on the "Poor Farm Racing Team" `joking he was the oldest rookie racer at the Thayer County Speedway.
In addition to the farming operation, Darrel was an entrepreneur, advocating for
Hebron
and
Thayer
County
, operating insurance, real estate, and auctioneering services on main street
Hebron
for 50 years.
He started in the insurance business as a Farm Bureau agent for 23 years.
In partnership with several fellow farmers, they opened the Thayer County Feed Store and also operated a swine finishing operation west of
Hebron
.
After obtaining his real estate license and eventually his broker's license, Darrel and Rosemary purchased three independent insurance agencies, and also operated the Hebron Clothes Line.
With a strong sense of public service and the motto, "a stranger was just a friend he had never met", Darrel was active in his community.
He served on the Stoddard School Board as it merged with the Hebron District.
Later he was elected and served 12 years on the Hebron School Board, serving as Secretary and President. Projects during those years included building the current
Thayer
Central
Middle School
and the Industrial Arts building. He was a founding and current member of the Thayer County Livestock Feeders Association.
A supporter of ethanol production, he worked tirelessly to bring an ethanol plant to our area.
He was a member of the Hebron Lions club, a familiar face at the Red Cross Blood Mobile donating 118 pints during his lifetime, and was currently serving on the Thayer County Zoning Board.
A longtime supporter of 4-H, Darrel enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the local youth show Dageforde cattle at the Thayer County Fair and State Fair. Serving on the corporate board for Blue Valley Lutheran Homes from 1988 to 1994 and 2001 to 2007, Darrel was instrumental in fundraising, building, and renovation projects, including the building of the Care Home and the Courtyard Terrace Apartments.
Darrel served in a variety of positions at Grace Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, serving as a Luther League sponsor, Administrative Council member, usher, and serving on the Endowment Committee. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Laverne Dageforde.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Deborah Craig and husband Mark; son, Rick, all of Hebron; son, Darren and wife Karen of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter, Rochelle Heussmann, and husband Walter of Allen, Texas;
Grandchildren, Elizabeth Gianunzio and husband Chris of Lincoln, Nebraska; Stephanie Graves and husband Quincy of Waterbury, Nebraska, Joshua Heussmann of Denver, Colorado; Brady Thumann and Andrew Craig of Hebron; Kristina and Klaryssa
Heussmann of Allen, Texas;
Pierce Dageforde of Omaha, Nebraska; Great-grandchildren, Tayler and Dylan Graves
and Raelen Gianunzio.
Services were held Monday, March 28 at 11 a.m. at
Grace
Lutheran
Church
in
Hebron
with Rev. Keith Brozek officiating.
Pianist was Amy Harris, who also accompanied soloist Hugh Clark who sang "Because He Lives".
Congregational hymns were "Blessed Assurance", "You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord", and "Lift High The Cross".
Pallbearers were Brady Thumann, Tim Hartley, Joel Wittke, Matt Johnson, Tom Berggren, Brent Hinz, Mike Buchli, and Corey Burd.
Honorary pallbearers were Dick Percival, James McKenzie, James Thorson, Jim Hartley, John Levendofsky, Harry Wiedel, Eugene Wiedel, Ken Else, Darrell Hintz, Jack Wehrbein, and Bill Wehrbein.
Burial was at the
Hebron
City
Cemetery
.
Memorials have been established to
Grace
Lutheran
Church
, Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Blue Valley Lutheran Homes, and the
Thayer
County
4-H program.
