Memorial Services for 81-year old Harold Obermiller of Rushville, NE, will be Monday, September 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM at the American Legion in Rushville.
Inurnment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Rushville.
A memorial has been established to the Sheridan County 4-H Council for awards. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home in Gordon or to P.O. Box 23, Rushville, NE, 69360.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Harold J. Obermiller was born March 21, 1940, to Chriss and Mary Jane Obermiller in his Grandpa Stern’s house in Rushville. He died at Gordon Countryside Care early Monday morning September 20, 2021, after a short battle with cancer.
The family moved several times over the years as Chriss worked for several Sandhill ranches. They moved to Rushville in 1942, but left a year and went south of Clinton.
Harold started school in 1945 at the Cunningham Country School, but switched to Clinton Elementary after a move to west of Clinton. In 1947, it was north of Clinton to a farm and working for Ed Holstein.
Life was busy growing corn, wheat, and running cows. Harold always had a love of horses, and when he was 11 years old he got a 3-year old gelding. He and his sister would ride the horse double to the Milan Country School. (Later, his daughters would ride horses to the same school.)
Harold became active in 4-H in 1950 and over the years showed horses, pigs, steers, and sheep. Some of his favorite memories were showing steers at the Nebraska State Fair, the Denver Stock Show, and at Aksarben – where would put his steers on the train and ride with them to Omaha.
Harold also competed at the Nebraska State Grain Judging contest, where his team won 2nd overall. He was crowned Sheridan County 4-H King in 1959, starting a tradition that saw his sister Lila and all 3 of his daughters crown as 4-H Queens.
Harold attended Rushville High School and graduated in 1957. He worked on several ranches in the Sandhills after high school, then enlisted in the U-S Army and served his country from 1961 to 1964 The majority of his service time was spent in Hawaii. After the army, he returned to Rushville and worked for his dad and the Rushville Sale Barn.
Harold married Norma Moore on October 1, 1967, and to this union three daughters were born: Tammy, Vickie and Tina.
Harold continued helping his dad on the farm, hauling hay for the Rushville Sale barn, breaking a few horses and in the winters he would work for Scott Manufacturing of Clinton. When his parents retired in 1974, Harold and Norma took over the operation.
Harold taught his three daughters how to work hard – whether it was milking cows, helping in the hay field, riding horses to work cattle, or working with their 4-H projects. With his assistance, the girls started a small flock of Suffolk sheep and traveled around the country with him to purchase rams.
Harold loved going to the County Fair every year and his daughters followed in his footsteps by showing at the Nebraska State Fair. Most of the time, Harold was too busy on the farm to attend a lot of summer 4-H events, but was always excited to hear about the outcome from his girls in the evening.
In 1986, Harold and Norma sold their cows in 1986 and bought a house and small acreage just northwest of Rushville. Harold worked for Wellnitz Ag Repair, as well as Farmers Coop delivering propane and diesel around the area where he enjoyed visiting with everyone.
He also drove truck for the Sheridan County Road Department and later became the ranch manager for Clay Creek and LK Ranches.
When Harold retired in 2015, Bob Bently and Roger Donley sent Harold and Norma on an Alaska Cruise as a thank you. Having never traveled much past Nebraska’s borders, it was a trip of a lifetime!
Harold belonged to the Rushville American Legion Club and volunteered several years on the honor guard.
He loved collecting old tractors and belonged to the Hwy 20 Tractor club, and for several years enjoyed helping work the gate for at PQHA Open horse shows, where he watched his grandkids show horses.
Harold was a member of the American Gebvieh Association and kept a few cows with Ken and Tammy. He would help out on the ranch, moving cows, raking hay, and branding calves. Harold enjoyed plain black coffee while visiting with family, friends and neighbors.
He will be missed by all.
Harold is survived by his wife Norma of 53 years, (just shy of 54 years by 10 days) his 3 daughters Tammy (Ken) Wellnitz, Chadron; Vickie (Steve) Kruger, Gordon; and Tina (Travis) Graham of Wright, Wyo. Four Grandkids, Kane Wellnitz, Kyle (Kinsie) Kruger, Kevin Kruger, and Kasey Kruger, and 3 great grandkids.
He is also survived by sister Lila (Jack) Fetter of Hay Springs, nephews Tim, Terry and their families; brother-in-law Dale (Joanne) Moore of Douglas, Wyo, nieces Theresa, Twila, Tedda and all their families.
Pallbearers will be Kane Wellnitz, Kyle Kruger, Kevin Kruger, and Kasey Kruger. Honorary pallbearers Dan Carpenter, Roger Donley, and Bob Bently.
Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home of Gordon is in charge of arrangements for Harold Obermiller.