DeWayne Hollibaugh passed away on Wednesday November 6, 2024, in Crawford, NE.
DeWayne was born on October 5, 1928, to Dawes & Vera (Dunlap) Hollibaugh on the family ranch in Dawes County near Marsland, NE. He grew up on the ranch with his mother and younger brother Kenny in a log cabin. He would often note it was quite cold in the winter, and they frequently woke up to ice on the water bucket. DeWayne’s father passed away in a tragic plane crash when he was 3 years of age, and his grandfather CG played a large and pivotal role in his childhood. Growing up in the middle of the Great Depression without a father shaped DeWayne’s formative years and resulted in a lifetime of frugality and hard work. These early experiences would fuel his success and drive throughout his life.
DeWayne attended Marsland high school and was quite proud of the fact he graduated as the Salutatorian in 1946. DeWayne joined the United States Airforce in 1952. He trained in Texas in hydraulic system repair on airplanes. His dream was to be sent overseas, but ultimately, he was stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD. Here he would meet the love of his life, Mary Ann Tyrrell and they were married June 13th, 1954. While in the USAF, he also worked a shift making pallets to earn extra money which he sent home to the family as the ranch had fallen on difficult times. He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and would tell stories of how he cut the hair of his fellow enlisted to earn extra money.
After his time in the Air Force DeWayne and Mary Ann moved back to the ranch. When his grandfather died in 1955, DeWayne and his brother took over the family ranch. In 1961 he bought out his brother’s half of the ranch. DeWayne would spend the next 50 years running Hollibaugh Ranch. Agriculture was advancing at a rapid pace during the 1960’s and DeWayne took advantage of opportunities to learn modern ranch management and was often an early adopter of new management strategies. Besides management of the land resources, he was an avid learner and would read trade journals and take courses learning other skills necessary to run a successful ranch operation such as welding. During this time, he and Mary Ann became friends with the instructor of these courses and thus began a lifelong friendship with George McMillan. Countless hours were spent improving the ranch to better manage livestock and their grazing. This consisted of cross fencing pastures and adding water wells which created another lifelong friendship with Bob Haag who was a water well driller in Chadron. DeWayne was also involved with many organizations in the community. He served on the Dawes County Fair board, Farmers Coop Board, School Board and Nebraska Cattleman’s board-Area President.
Together DeWayne and Mary Ann had 5 children, Gregory, Connie, Patti, Mike, and Lori who were instrumental in much of the daily work that took place on the ranch. Much time was also spent with aunts and uncles from DeWayne’s mother’s side. Either entertaining them for Sunday dinner or going to one of their homes for Sunday dinner.
After the kids were raised DeWayne and Mary Ann enjoyed their weekend trips to Deadwood and were also able to travel to various places around the world. Mary Ann who was beloved by all would pass away of cancer in the spring of 2000.
DeWayne would meet Joan Warner and they married November of 2001. He and Joan were able to take several trips together. One was a trip full of adventure in which they drove an RV to Alaska. Joan was able to get him to have an appreciation for baseball and they would enjoy cheering on the Rockies.
In the later years of his life, as his daughter Patti began to take over the ranch DeWayne was able to slow down and appreciate some of the finer details of life. Moving into a house in Chadron with Joan, he enjoyed his morning trips to McDonalds for a fresh cup of coffee, or a trip to Deadwood to enjoy the town. He spent many hours enjoying time with his many grandkids and great grandkids, attending many graduations, weddings, and other family events. He continued to travel, journeying to Europe, and even took the whole family on two cruises to Mexico. DeWayne greatly enjoyed the outdoors and continued to stay active taking many drives out to the ranch to see the country and enjoy the wildlife. He loved to tell the story of watching several bobcat kittens play on his mailbox one day to the grandkids.
DeWayne will be missed greatly by his generations of remaining family. Many wonderful memories have been made and will be shared for years to come.
DeWayne was preceded in Death by his grandparents and parents, wives Mary Ann and Joan, as well a granddaughter and great grandson.
He is survived by his children Gregory (Becky) of Rapid City, SD, Connie (Mark) Kolling of Chadron, NE, Patti of Crawford, NE, Mike (Tammy) of Chadron, NE, and Lori (Keith) Oetken of Crawford, NE. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, November 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Chadron with Reverend Russ Seger officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery with military honors. The family invites you to share memories and a luncheon at Country Kitchen after the services.
The Family has established a memorial in DeWayne’s memory for the Ponderosa Villa Auxiliary. Checks can be made to the Ponderosa Villa Auxiliary and sent directly to: Ponderosa Villa Auxiliary c/o Verona Douthit, 107 Paddock Street, Crawford, NE 69339.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance in charge of arrangements.