Elmer Hejhal

Elmer Hejhal, of Fremont, passed away on August 18 2024 at David Place in David City, at the age of 83.

Memorials can be directed to Family Wishes for later designation.

A Funeral Service will be on Saturday, August 24 at 11 a.m. at Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary in Schuyler. Visitation will be from 10 until 11 with a rosary recited at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Schuyler Cemetery with lunch following at St. Augustine's Social Hall. Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary is assisting Elmer's family with arrangements.  

Elmer Gene Hejhal was born on December 10, 1940, on the family farm 5 miles south of Howells to Joseph and Katherine (Bocian) Hejhal, the 10th of 12 children. He attended Rural School District 35 and graduated from Howells High School in 1960. Elmer moved to Omaha following graduation and worked for Western Electric from 1960-1972, In 1970 he built Elmer's Drive-In Liquor store in Wahoo and operated it from 1970-1992 until he sold it. 

Elmer was known for his love of nature, shown in his enthusiasm for hunting and fishing, and with the same commitment he applied to his love of farming. Elmer loved the cabin life and his home on the Platte River and was devastated when the 2019 flood nearly took that away, but through the generosity and hard work of his son-in-law, Rob Hall, he was able to return. 

Elmer was generous to everyone he met, always ready to lend a hand or share a laugh. His great sense of humor was a source of joy for family and friends. Even when things got tough, he never complained and kept going forward.

He found immense happiness in the company of his children and grandchildren, with whom he shared countless treasured moments. Elmer held his siblings dear, often reminiscing about the joys of growing up together. He loved family trips to Fremont lakes with his family and his sister Alice's family, where he mastered water skiing alongside his brother-in-law, Fred. One of his favorite creations was a "cat condo" built for the cats in the neighborhood, a testament to his kind-hearted nature and love for animals.

Elmer is survived by his children: Shelli Hall of Wahoo, Shad (Regina) Hejhal of Linwood, and Shannan Hejhal of Omaha, Grandchildren Robbi Hall, Amanda (Eric) Scherer, and Lucas (Jessica) Austin, Great-Grandchildren Baxter Hall, Pippa Scherer, and Amelia Austin; sisters: Elsie Alexander of Omaha, Katherine Bayer and Alice Krenk of Schuyler, Sister-in-law Diana Hejhal of Sergeant Bluff, IA; former wife and friend Elaine Wirka; and many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers James and Joe, John, Gene, and infant Donald, sisters Tillie Krutz, Mary Lee Jindra, and Dorraine Hejhal, son-in-law Rob Hall, brothers-in-law Lyle Krutz, EuGene Alexander, Lawrence Bayer, and Fred Krenk, and sister-in-law Betty Hejhal