Richard W. Christner

Richard (Dick) W. Christner age 87, passed away at the McCook Community Hospital of McCook, NE on February 20, 2022. He was born on the family farm in a "Dirt Soddy," west of Hayes Center in Hayes County, NE on October 26, 1934, to Lynn and Ruth (Mellott) Christner. He attended the High Ridge Country School, west of Hayes Center and High School in Curtis, NE at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture. Dick worked a short time in Denver, CO doing construction, before moving back to the farm. On November 16, 1958, he married the love of his life, Dolores K. Matson, at the United Methodist Church in Culbertson, NE. To this union four children were born: Michael, James, Kelly, Terri. The couple made their home on the family farm where they helped his parents with everyday farm life: milking cows, selling eggs and cream to help make their living. Dick eventually took over running and managing the family farm, helping neighbors work calves, harvesting and anything else they needed. He ran Christner Hay Service for many year, with his kids putting up hay for others in the county. Dick was a member of the BPOE in McCook, a Deacon and Lay Leader of the Congregational Church of Christ in Hayes Center and served on the Hayes Center School Board for 20 years. After his retirement from the farm, Dick worked as a crop adjuster for American Ag and Heartland Crop Insurance Companies. Dick enjoyed taking his kids hunting, fishing, and boating. He also loved golfing, sitting around the coffee table talking and reminiscing with friends and neighbors and playing pitch. He loved taking his wife on road trips around the area looking at the crops, cows, and baby calves. His wife, Dolores, was his one true love and his "Queen." His grandkids were his world. He loved going to their sporting events and spending time with them in any way he could. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Ruth; brother, Vernon; sister, Vyonna Fowler; daughter-in-law, Rose Christner; grandson, Austin Wright; brother-in-law, Wayne Matson; father and mother-in-law, Clifford and Cleo Matson. Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dolores of Wauneta; sons, Michael (Vickie) of Hayes Center, James (Angela) of Palisade, Kelly (Kathy) of Sutherland; daughter, Terri Banzhaf of McCook; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Wilma (Vernon) Christner of Cozad. Memorial services will be held at the Hayes Center Congregational Church on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:30 AM with Pastor Jean Miller officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hayes Center Cemetery. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be left in Dicks name. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Memorial Service Congregational Church Saturday, March 19, 2022 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM 301 Hall Street Hayes Center, NE 69032