Richard Elmer Dehart, 92, passed away May 21, 2023 at Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, Nebraska from a brief battle of dementia.
Richard was born March 14, 1931 to John and Ethel (Poor) Dehart in Burwell, Nebraska. As a child he grew up on the family farm just North of “Windy Hill.” He attended District 56 Banner School until 7th Grade. He did not return to school, he worked on the family farm and in the winter of 1948 after the blizzard, he helped the state repair snow fences.
On June 3, 1952, he boarded the Omaha tram to Camp Crowler Missouri; from there, he flew to Fort Bliss in Texas. He would complete his 16 weeks basic training for the Army there. After he graduated, he returned home for a brief visit, and then drove to Camp Edwards in Massachusetts. He was stationed there for one year. He finished his Army enlistment in New York City in 1954 with medals for Garden City Sharpshooter and was promoted to Sergeant.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, he moved to Colby, Kansas and worked as a lineman for the telephone company. During this job, he moved to other towns along the way like Grinnell and Rexford.
September 1, 1956 he married his wife Patricia Ann Morgan from Woodward, Oklahoma. To this union three daughters were born: Jeannie, Teresa and Lisa.
They continued to live in Kansas until 1957 when they returned to Burwell.
He came back to help with the family farm and began working at Britton Iron. In 1961, he started working for Cass Constructions running heavy equipment and worked there for 47 ½ years before finally retiring.
November 25, 2022 Richard was baptized by Serene Sanjeev Samuel in his room at the nursing home with daughters Teresa and Lisa present.
Richard loved to go for car rides and show you all the places he moved the “Earth.” He loved his job and the people he worked with especially his brother Ted.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Dehart, parents John and Ethel Dehart, siblings: Hazel (Dehart) and Perry Smith, Jim and Aza Dehart, Pauline (Dehart) and Bob Kinney, Ted and Betty Dehart and Lucille (Dehart) Boyer. In laws: Tuffy and Anna Hurst.
Survivors of the immediate family left to honor Richard include three daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Russ Ostrander of Holdrege; Lisa and Neal Miller of Ansley; and Jeannie and Gene Wewel of Loup City. Grandchildren Taylor (Ostrander) and husband David Wilder of Gibbon, Trey Ostrander of Holdrege, Noah and Richard Miller, Toni Boss all of Ansley; Rusty Miller and wife Jennifer Lucero of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Great Grandchildren: Bryson, Lettie, Rielyn and Shanna Lyn of Gibbon; Daxter, Zoey and Brantlee of Ansley.
Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Visitations with the family will be Wednesday, May 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. A funeral service for Richard will take place at the United Methodist Church in Burwell on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. followed by luncheon at the church. Burial will be at Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell NE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Burwell Veterans Park.
Richard’s final request is to wear something casual.
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