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Members of the Class of 2024 at Humphrey St. Francis celebrates after Commencement Exercises Saturday afternoon, tossing their motar boards into the air. Democrat photos

Learning many lessons

An education is more than the classes and Humphrey St. Francis. Saturday afternoon, the Class of 2024 received their diplomas during Commencement Exercises at St. Francis Catholic Church. Valedictorian Karly Kessler, and Salutatorian Emma Classen...

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Ott defeats Pfeifer

The only area contested race saw challenger Joe Ott defeat incumbent Ron Pfeifer in the Platte County Board of Supervisors District 4 race in Tuesday’s Primary Election. Unofficially, Ott received 453 votes, and Pfeifer 368, who has spent 27 years...

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Karley Vering and Garett Durkop are heading to the state track and field meet this week. Vering qualified in the shot put and Durkop in the 400-meter dash. Courtesy photo

Vering, Durkop earn berths at state meet

Karley Vering and Garett Durkop are heading to state for the Bulldogs. Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family competed Thursday in the Class C-3 District track meet at Oakland-Craig. Vering placed second in the shot put with a personal record of 35-03.75 and...

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Qualifying for the Nebraska State Track & Field meet from Humphrey St. Francis are, front row, left to right, Lillie Beltz, Alexis Kuchar and Jayda Krings. Back row, Emerson Krings, Isabel Preister, Whitney Wegener and Kali Jarosz. Democrat photo

Field events lead HSF into state track meet

St. Francis is sending seven to the State Track & Field Meet in nine events. The Flyers competed May 8 in the Class D-2 District meet May 8 at Osceola. The girls scored 93 points to finish third, and the boys placed sixth with 32 points. Osceola...

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The America Red Cross held a blood drive May 8 for the Espiritu and Coble families. Deco Espiritu and Riggs Coble, preschoolers at Platte Center Elementary School, have acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pictured are Carlos Espiritu, Karla Espiritu, Karina Espiritu, JenCarlos Espiritu, Joaquin Espiritu and Jessica Coble. In the front are Deco and Riggs. Democrat photos

Community turns out for Riggs, Deco

American Red Cross Blood Drive in Platte Center May 8 for Riggs Coble and Deco Espiritu. The Platte Center Elementary School preschoolers each have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.), so a blood drive was held in their honor at the St. Joseph’s...

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Primary Election turnout expected to be low

There’s not much anticipation locally in the May 14 Primary Election. Just one race is contested as challenger Joe Ott goes up against incumbent Ron Pfeifer for a seat on the Platte County Board of Supervisors District 4. All other local races...

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Patrick "Pat" Hegemann

Patrick "Pat" Hegemann

Wed, 02/23/2022 - 4:00am

Patrick “Pat” Hegemann, age 67, of Columbus, Neb., died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at his home in Columbus.

Family services will be held at a later date.

Pat was born Feb. 4, 1955, to Edward and Bonnie (Beller) Hegemann in Norfolk, Neb. He said he started farming at age 3 when he was able to reach the pedals. Pat graduated from Lindsay Holy Family in 1973, eventually moving to Humphrey and working for the State Road Department.

Pat married Amy Albracht on Aug. 12, 1978, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey. He was a top-notch pressman working at Columbus Telegram, Ultra Graphics, A & M Printing, and Columbus Graphics.

Pat had a tenacious spirit and was determined to not let his muscular dystrophy rule his life. He enjoyed road trips coast to coast, watching “pro” football, especially “The Pats”, fixing anything people would bring him, and keeping the yard and flower garden perfect. He enjoyed playing pool at “The Lark” and his best days were spent out at “the rail” with his buddies at the horse races. He enjoyed giving his nephews and nieces a hard time and loved the little neighbor girls “Poopsie” and “Radar.” He was a big fan of nicknames!

Pat is survived by:

Wife: Amy Hegemann of Columbus, Neb.

Mother: Bonnie Hegemann of Norfolk, Neb.

Brother: Ken (Rebecca) Hegemann of Escondido, Calif.

Sister: Joan (Rol) Pfeifer of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Sister: Karen Thomas of Norfolk, Neb.

Sister: Judy (Mike) Noecker of Norfolk, Neb.

Sister-in-law: Rita Hegemann of Columbus, Neb.

Brother-in-law: John Albracht of San Antonio, Texas

Brother-in-law: Jerry Albracht of Humphrey, Neb.

Sister-in-law: Connie (Randy) Cookus of Overland Park, Kan.

Brother-in-law: Dan (Phyllis) Albracht of Berthoud, Colo.

Brother-in-law: Steve (Sandy) Albracht of Humphrey, Neb.

Brother-in-law: Ron Albracht of Fort Collins, Colo.

Brother-in-law: Dale (Jill) Albracht of Arlington, Neb.

Many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews

Pat was preceded in death by:

Father: Edward Hegemann

Brother: Jim Hegemann

Father and Mother-in-law: Bud and Germaine Albracht

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com

The Humphrey Democrat

314 Main St
Humphrey, NE 68642
402-923-1400