Eugene John Wiedel

Eugene John Wiedel of Hebron NE, the son of John A. Wiedel and Gertrude S. (Schmit) Wiedel was born July 13 th 1930 in Hebron, NE. He departed this life Sunday January 7 th 2024 Heritage Crossings in Geneva Ne at the age of 93 yrs.

Gene resided in Thayer County his entire life, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School through 8th grade and Hebron High School, graduating with the class of 1948. Besides working alongside his father on the family farm, during high school he and his brother Harry had good times traveling eastern Nebraska earning extra money shearing sheep. He served in the Army during the Korean War from Jan 4th 1952, serving 2 years. After returning home he served in the Army reserves. He was awarded 3 Bronze Service Stars, serving as Corporal in the 97th Engineer Depot Company. Gene married Barbara McClure April 11 th , 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron, NE. This union was blessed with seven children. He encouraged the children to join 4-H, helping them show cattle while growing up. Instilling a good work ethic for them.

Gene and Barb enjoyed attending their kids and grandkids events during the years. Eugene loved raising & riding horses from an early age. He had to wait a long time to get his Christmas present he always wanted. A pony for Christmas! He really enjoyed team penning with his horses for over 25 years, making many lifelong friends. He was especially proud when he could compete with 3 generations of Wiedels on his team. He made sure his children and grandchildren wouldn’t have to wait for a holiday to ride a horse. As a farmer and rancher he took pride in building his operation. He loved working and raising his cattle. He was well known in the local sale barns making lifelong friends. He was also an active conservationist, implementing terracing and no-till crops. He planted many windbreaks and used rotation grazing on his grassland. He won several conservation awards for his efforts that were practiced early in his career and continued through the years. He was on the Sacred Heart Catholic Church board, ASCS Board and on the Thayer County Feeders Board. Member of Knights of Columbus, Nebraska Cattlemen's, American Legion, American Quarter Horse Assn.,Nebraska Cattleman’s Team Penning Assn.

Eugene was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, infant daughter Mary Lynn, parents John A. Wiedel and Gertrude S. (Schmit) Wiedel, Brother: Robert Wiedel, Harry Wiedel Sisters: Phyllis Woods and husband Louis Woods, Geraldine Hergott and husband Don Hergott His in laws Robert (Bixby) McClure and Marguerite (Zwieifel) McClure, sister in law Margaret Buchli and husband Jewell.

He is survived by sons; John Wiedel of Lincoln, NE, Jerry Wiedel and wife Lynne of Belvidere, NE, Jim Wiedel and wife Denise of Hebron, NE, Jan Wiedel and wife Patricia of Lincoln, daughters; Jayne Fox and husband Kevin of Hebron, NE, Jill McMahon and husband Brian of Ayr, NE, 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren. Survived by Sister-in-law Linda Wiedel of Hebron, NE and Sharon Wiedel of Hastings NE, Sharon Schmidt and husband Wayne of Lincoln, NE Brother in-laws Roger McClure and Darlene of Cheyenne WY, Robert McClure of Fairbury, NE nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, 10:00 am, January 12, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hebron with the Fr. Steve Major, Fr. Harlan Waskowiak and Fr. Tom Wiedel officiating. Interment with military honors will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Hebron.

The rosary will be recited Thursday, 7:00 pm, January 11, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation with the family present will be held at the church on Thursday 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Kroll Funeral Home
Hebron, Nebraska

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