RICHARD "DICK" ZELLER, 71, of Ogallala, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Dick was born May 5, 1950, at Alliance, Nebraska, to Charles and LaVonne (Roland) Zeller. He grew up in Hemingford and graduated from Hemingford High School with the class of 1968. Dick subsequently attended UNL, earning a degree in Agriculture Education, and was in pursuit of a Master's Degree in Agronomy.
On August 12, 1972, Dick married Kathy Divis in Holdrege. Their union was blessed with two children, Erin and Quentin. Dick served as a teacher at Omaha Bryan School before taking a position at Sandhills Public Schools, starting the ag program for the district. Dick would eventually take a job with Circle 4 Fertilizer in Halsey. He eventually went to work for Big Byron Agri Services in Grant and Roscoe. Most recently, Dick had been employed with Renk Seed Co., which was a job that he really loved. Dick was an extrovert and truly loved working and visiting with people. He always had an infectious smile that made you wonder what he was up to.
Dick had a great passion for agriculture and the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish when he got the chance. He spent many years as a scoutmaster and was especially proud of his seven Eagle Scouts. He was also an avid gardener and was especially known for the peppers that he grew, often selling his produce to independent grocers in the area, as well as being a mainstay at the farmer's market. Dick's greatest passion was his family. His grandchildren added a new dimension to his life. He loved them more than anything and was not afraid to don a mohawk, teach them the art of fishing or take on whatever they asked of him.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister Connie Sue; nephew, Chad Swanson; 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Jo and Janice; and a brother-in-law, Mike.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Zeller of Ogallala; children, Quentin (Kat) Zeller of Grand Island, Erin (Jeff) Craven of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Mikayla, Hunter, Gunnar, Alaina, Elizabeth, Connor, and Chloe; siblings, Carol (Dave) Timmens of Hemingford, Doug (Beth) Zeller of Haysville, KS, Nancy (Dan) Swanson of Hemingford, Dennis (Linda) Zeller of Alliance; along with many other relatives and beloved friends.
A memorial has been established in Dick's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com where the services will be streamed live.
Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala, with Fr. Bryan Ernest and Fr. James Divis Concelebrating. The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. No inurnment is planned at this time.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.