SATURDAY AUGUST 1, 2009

8:30 PM GRANDSTAND 

2009 Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award
Sponsored by The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation

H. Greve Farm Inc.

85024 583rd Avenue
Wakefield, Nebraska

In March 2009, Henry and Martha Greve bought 160 acres seven miles sound, one mile west and 3/4 miles south of Wakefield. The farm was purchased from Fred Kay for $85 per acre. They made the move to their first own home via covered wagon and hayracks. Henry and Martha raised six children. Henry farmed the land with horses and mules until his retirement in 1936 when they moved to Wakefield. His son, Emil and his wife Elsie Fehncke and their children (Howard, Arlene (Dolph), Art, and Merlin) lived and worked on the farm until 1960 when they moved to a new home a couple of miles north of the home place. At that time Emil's oldest son Howard and his bride, Barbara Krusemark moved onto the farm. Howard and Barbara raised their family, Howard Harley, Hayley Jo and Bobbey Jo on the home place. They farmed the ground and raised cattle, hogs and a few chickens. A new house was built on the farm in 1969 and finished it in 1970. At this point all of the Greve children were confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, which was located within a 1/2 mile of the farm. Howard and Barbara moved to Wayne in 1992 following the marriage of ther son Harley to Vickie Genoff. Harley and Vickie and their son's Henry and Heath currently reside on the farm where they continue to grow crops and a feedlot.

2009 Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family Award
Sponsored by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation

Richard & Rita Gubbels Farm

86266 561 Avenue
Randolph, Nebraska

On May 13, 1908 John Gubbels Sr. and his wife Elizabeth bought a bare quarter of ground in Wayne County, Nebraska. On February 21, 1928 they sold it to their son Walter Gubbels. Walter had a set of buildings on the quarter. On October 25, 1928 he married Irene Gerber, they lived on the farm until 1964.

In August of 1964 Richard & Rita Gubbels moved to the farm they own and reside there today.

Submitted by:

Rick & Rita Gubbels

2009 Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award
Sponsored by The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation

Lundahl Centennail Farm

58346 Highway 35
Wakefield, Nebraska

Pete E. Lundahl was born in Sweden in the year 1860, and came to America in 1879 to a Swedish settlement around Stanton and Red Oak, Iowa. He had $1.50 in cash, a small bag of clothes, and a log of determination. He worked in a dairy barn and as a farm hand, later working on a railroad construction crew. He met a gentleman on the crew that taught English. Pete met and became good friends with Nels Bjorklund, also a Swedish immigrant. When Nels bought a farm near Wakefield, Nebraska in 1888, Pete decided to come to Wakefield also. In 1889, Pete rented 80 acres of land and started farming with a team of horses, a 14 inch plow and other similar sized equipment.

While in Red Oak, Pete met a girl named Charlotte Ahlgren. He wrote a letter to her asking for her hand in marriage. She said yes, and Pete took a team and wagon and brought her back to Nebraska. They moved two more times with their son, Ernest, born in 1892 and daughter Ellen, born in 1900. The family's last move was in 1909 when they bought a 160 acre farm from Walt Herman, (Leland Herman's father), for $100 per acre.

In 1923, Pete died after an operation in Omaha. Ernest stayed on the farm, renting from his mother. In 1944 Ernest and his wife Clara (Nolte) bought the farm from her. They had three sons and one daughter; LeRoy, Earl, JoAnn and LeVern. All were born on the farm except for LeVern. LeVern and his wife Mary (Driskell) bought the farm from his parents in 1973. They had two sons, Mark and Brian. Brian and his wife Sherri (Wittler), with sons Cole and Walker, now live on the farm and are the fourth generation to farm there.

Submitted by:

LeVern Lundahl