Wesley Carl Huenefeld

Wesley Carl Huenefeld, age 94, of Aurora, died Thursday morning, January 15, 2004, at Hamilton Manor in Aurora.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday at the Pleasant View Bible Church in Aurora. Rev. Rick Prettyman and Rev. Paul Nauman will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. on Sunday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: WESLEY CARL HUENEFELD

Wesley Huenefeld, the son of Carl and Grace (Davis) Huenefeld, was born in Aurora, Nebraska on August 19, 1909 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on January 15, 2004, at the age of 94 years.

Wesley was a lifelong resident of Hamilton County, where he graduated from Aurora High School in 1927 and the University of Nebraska in 1935 where he played in the University Band. He returned to Aurora where he continued to farm.

On August 14, 1938, Wesley married Beth Stilgebauer in Lincoln, Nebraska. Beth died on October 19, 1976. Wesley married Louise Nielsen on August 25, 1978 at Aurora. Louise died on April 29, 1992.

Wesley was a member of the Pleasant View Bible Church.

Wesley Huenefeld?s vision and lifelong interest in conservation and Hamilton County history have contributed immeasurably to the community. He served as president of the Hamilton County Historical Society for 38 years. Under his leadership, the dream of the Plainsman Museum was born and seen to completion. His contributions through the years have earned him the title of "The Father of the Plainsman Museum." He also helped with the planning for the Edgerton Center that is located in Aurora as well.

Conservation, especially tree planting, was also a hallmark of Wesley?s life, beginning in his youth when he belonged to a 4-H forestry club. He began extensive tree planting on his farm in 1948. In 1959, the Huenefeld farm was named Nebraska Tree Farm #1 and has attracted visitors from around the world.

Wesley landscaped the grounds for the Aurora elementary, middle, and high schools.

Besides the Hamilton County Historical Society, Wesley served on the Hamilton County Fair Board, School District 4-R Board of Education, past president of the Hamilton County Farm Bureau, and director of the Hamilton County Concert Band.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Beth and Louise, a daughter, Ann McAleer, a brother, Charles Huenefeld, and two sisters, Helen Campbell and Ruth Ronin.

Wesley is survived by his sons, Art (Doris) Halouska of Columbus, Georgia, Bill (Aline) Huenefeld of Lancaster, Texas, Lynn (Pat) Huenefeld of Burdett, Kansas; his daughters, Ethel (Stan) Owens of Omaha and Patricia Laughlin of Etna, Pennsylvania; step-daughter, Karen Wilcox of Virginia Beach, VA; 23 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters, Alice Tucker of Aurora and Eveline Greene of Arvada, Colorado.