Willard G. Hollopeter

1934 – 2022

Christian Gentleman, Loving Husband, Caring Dad,

Grandpa and Grandpa Great, Supportive Brother, Loyal Friend,

Sandhills Rancher, Cowboy Poet Extraordinaire, Prolific Writer.

Any of these may bring up memories of Willard Hollopeter. Whatever role he attempted to fill, he was bound and determined to do his best.

Willard Gene Hollopeter was born to Fred and Tina (Donahoo) Hollopeter on October 24, 1934 at Ainsworth, NE. He passed away on July 1, 2022 at the age of 87 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.

As a descendant of 1880 pioneers who settled along the Calamus River, Willard's roots ran deep in Blaine, Brown and Cherry Counties. Willard's grandparents, John and Florence (Clapper) Hollopeter settled on the west end of Chain Lakes in southern Brown County and his Donahoo grandparents, Jess and Cora, also settled in Brown County.

Except for a few years spent in Colorado as a child and his stint in the Army, Willard spent his entire life in the Sandhills of Nebraska. In 1947, he moved with his parents, sister Wilma and brother Jack to a ranch 25 miles south of Wood Lake. He attended rural schools and for several years, he accompanied his mother to schools where she taught.

Willard and Wilma were constantly on their ponies, falling off and getting right back on again. Both of them have said that life was not boring; they made up their games and competition and often put on shows while standing on their galloping horses. Maybe they were poor but they didn't know it. Usually going to town on Saturday afternoon, Willard would go to the Western picture show, sitting through it over and over.

Too soon it was time for high school. Willard enrolled at Wood Lake High School where he said he was the little guy of the football team. He boarded with Keith and Mary Lou Coble but went home on weekends to help on the ranch. That year coincided with the infamous Blizzard of 1949. His dad hired Don Higgins to fly Willard back to Wood Lake to school following a huge blizzard over Christmas vacation. Willard transferred to Ainsworth High School for his sophomore year where he graduated with the Class of 1952. He stayed through the week with his Hollopeter grandparents but was always anxious to get back home on Friday night.

Uncle Sam came calling five years later. Willard served in the US Army from April 9, 1957 until April 9, 1959. After basic training at Camp Carson, CO and specialized training at Fort Gordon, GA, he went by ship to Germany where he served for 18 months as a switchboard operator and Wire Chief MOS. Willard took the opportunity to visit Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and points in Germany. A highlight was viewing Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Another unforgettable sight was sailing by the Statue of Liberty after his overseas service. Willard was honorably discharged at Camp Grant, Illinois. (What a surprise for his parents; they did not know he was coming home.)

Willard then continued his ranching career south of Wood Lake with his father. His ranching experience began as a young boy driving a team of horses to put up hay or fixing fence when with just a click from him, the team moved on. But Willard was especially at home on a horse, usually a palomino. He prided himself in "heeling" calves at brandings, had a dim view of "four-wheeler cowboys" and always worked cattle on horseback.

Willard and Arlene Kloppel were married on June 12, 1960 in the old Methodist Church in Ainsworth. Together they raised two children, Kenneth and Julie. During their growing up years, Willard took an active part in helping his kids train horses and taking them to 4-H and high school rodeo events. Julie tells of many a night she and her dad slept in the van following a rodeo to take in another one the next day.

Willard continued ranching and custom haying following his father's death in 1969, eventually purchasing the ranch. He and Arlene made it a home where neighbors, cousins and friends felt welcome, some stayed a while.

With consistent blowout management, thoughtful grazing and planting multiple windbreaks, the ranch from which he retired was a conserved and balance operation. With sacrifice and hard work plus the Hollopeter determination, (maybe stubbornness), as many ranchers were losing their land in the 1980s, Willard added adjoining sections of land to his ranch. He was a firm believer that if he took care of the land, it would take care of him.

Willard's beloved wife, Arlene succumbed to cancer in March 1986. What a void there was. It was during that time that he began writing columns for various newspapers and publications. His column, titled "For What It's Worth" included various observations, particularly in the change of ranching practices, the old days and his view on present day happenings, while trying to steer clear of politics.

After writing a few poems in the Army, he began writing seriously in the 1980s. His attachment to cowboy poetry led him to co-found the Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Old West Days in Valentine in 1991. He served on the Board of Directors for 21 years, seven of which he served as President. He was a cheerleader for aspiring poets; as entertainment chairman for many years, he brought new poets and music to the event. Willard's last performance was at the day sessions in 2020. He and Mary attended the Saturday night concert in 2021 and were pleased to visit with the Bar J Wranglers again; he had brought them to Valentine the very first time and they became good friends.

Faithful listeners will miss tuning in to "Heritage Trails", Willard's radio program for over 30 years. Even after hundreds of columns and radio spots, Willard was always pleased and appreciative when people told him that they liked his column or that they always listened to his program.

After retirement from the ranch in 2000, he began a year-long restoration of the 90-year old house in Wood Lake where he took pride in his finishing work.

On January 1, 2008, Willard and Mary Mulligan were married in North Platte. Sadly, Mary died from cancer in February 2009.

In the spring of 2010, Willard met Mary Schubert from Bassett at a Grief-Share meeting in Ainsworth. Both had lost their spouses and were seeking help in grieving and fellowshipping with others. They began to date (although Willard was determined that they weren't dating, they were having "meaningful conversations".)  Eventually those conversations turned to love and respect. Their marriage ceremony took place on December 28, 2012 at the Wood Lake Union Church. Again that old house at Highway 20 and Main Street began to accumulate new memories.

For seven years, Willard and Mary were a speaking duo at Christian Connection groups and other events. Willard would recite his poetry and Mary the devotional message.

Willard took pride in the publishing of two books, "So Many Winters" and "Lost Trails" containing over 100 of his poems and stories of ranch living. To buyers he would say, "The stories in the book are true and the poems could be." He recited his poetry from memory and barely missed a beat when performing at poetry gatherings in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Willard was also a member of the Nebraska Humanities Touring Program presenting his program, "The Cowboy Way" to multiple audiences across Nebraska. He had a passion to keep the Old West alive and appreciated.

Willard was a member of the Ralph A. Piper American Legion Post 202 in Wood Lake where he took pride as a member of the Honor Guard on many occasions. Willard and Mary were faithful in attending the Wood Lake Union Church where they were members and for the past four years, attended services at Cherry Hills Estates.

His faith in Christ was evident, especially during the last eight months of balancing dialysis and multiple medical problems. However, last February, he was overjoyed with his "new heart". He told his surgeon, "You gave me a new life."

And now Willard has gone on to Eternal Life with his Savior, Jesus Christ.  As he ended his radio programs: "Until next time, this is Willard Hollopeter; reminding you to keep a tight cinch and an easy rein."

Preceding him in death were his wives, Arlene and Mary; parents, grandparents, brother Jack Hollopeter and wife Ruth Ann; grandson Cpl. Josiah Hollopeter; great granddaughter, Eleigh Rose Swisher, brother-in-law William Hackney and step-son, Michael Schubert.

Left behind include his wife, Mary; son Kenneth Hollopeter (Kelly); daughter Julie Owens (Shawn); grandchildren Annie Nielson (Josh) and children, Greyson Swan, Kalen Hollopeter (Kylie) and children, Ryker and Adaline; Tyler Hollopeter (Summer) and son, Briggs; Justina Burge (Timber) and children, Sarah, Kimber and Marlie; Bryant Schipporeit (Myranda) and children, Hanna and Maverick; Callie Naber and children, Hadleigh and Teagan; Wyatt Naber (Trina) and Kynzlee.

Other survivors are his sister, Wilma Hackney; nephews Bill Hackney and Jay Hollopeter (Dusty); nieces Jodi Mathis. Jeannie Hollopeter and other nieces and nephews. Step-children, Lucy Keller (Mike); Jane Fowler (Emmitt); Kay Fabricus (Scott); Angela Boucher (Andy); 16 step-grandchildren, 13 step-great grandchildren; other relatives and hundreds of friends.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6 ^th at 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine, NE.  Burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Wood Lake, NE.  Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine is in charge of the service arrangements.

Funeral service for Willard Hollopeter age 87 of Valentine will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine.  Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Wood Lake, NE.  Visitation with prayer service will be held on Tuesday, July 5 ^th from 6 to 8 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine.  Mr. Hollopeter passed away on July 1 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.