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Elroy M. Hefner

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COLERIDGE — Elroy M. Hefner, 96, Coleridge, died July 26, 2020, at his residence.

Visitation was Wednesday at the church and continued Thursday one hour prior to services at church.

Funeral services were July 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Coleridge, with the Rev. Russ Lambert officiating. Services were also live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/ImmanuelLutheranColeridge. Social distancing and face masks were required for visitation and funeral.

Burial was at Lawn Ridge Cemetery, Coleridge, with military honors by the Coleridge American Legion Post #114 and the Legion Riders. Pallbearers were Jason Hefner, Craig Walling, Ryan O’Connor, Patrick Brennan, Tyler Hefner, and Trevor Hefner.

Honorary pallbearers were Elroy’s grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Coleridge.

Elroy Morris was born Dec. 12, 1923, in Coleridge, to George Paul and Alvina Marie (Bartling) Hefner. He grew up in Coleridge and was a 1941 graduate of Coleridge High School. Elroy entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served until 1946, during WWII. He was in the Amphibious Forces serving 19 months in the South Pacific. He started Hefner Oil and Feed Store in 1947 with his brother Gerhart. Elroy was a partner in Hefner Oil today. He married Carol Rae Willms June 12, 1949, in Coleridge.

Elroy was elected in 1976 to the Nebraska Legislature as senator for District 19. He held this position for 16 years until Jan. 3, 1993. Elroy was President of Crystal Oil and Diamond Horseshoe, South Sioux City, and Truck Haven, Sioux City, Iowa. Later, he was the former President of the Omaha Truck Plaza. He was a past President of Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Association.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and served as secretary of the Coleridge Dehy Plant for many years. He belonged to the Coleridge Community Club, was a former member of the Nebraska Legislature, Coleridge American Legion Post #114, and Coleridge Volunteer Fire Department for many years, Hartington VFW Post #5283, former member of Hartington Golf Club, former member of the Coleridge Town Board and School Board, and served as Mayor for several years. Elroy was a Nebraska Cornhusker fan and loved to golf. He loved to take care of his yard and was still mowing at age 90. He especially loved his wife Carol, his children and grandchildren.

Elroy is survived by his wife, Carol Rae, Coleridge; son, Bill (Julie) Hefner, Coleridge; daughter, Cindy (Pat) Brennan, Papillion; daughter-in-law, Sharron Hefner, Bloomfield; six grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren, three step great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Kay Hefner, Coleridge; Janice Hefner, Coleridge; Avis Hefner, Sioux City, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Wendell Hahne, Norfolk.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Doug Hefner; brothers, Wilfred, Marvin, Gerhardt, Wendel, George and Franklin Hefner; sister, Delores Hahne; and sisters-in-law, Rose Hefner, Donna Hefner, and Marcella Hefner.