Ronald Maurice “Mose” Hebbert, age 90, of Hyannis, Nebraska, passed away on Nov. 2, 2020, at the Box Butte Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska.
Mose was born March 29, 1930, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alliance. His parents were Albert and Ima Fern (Shepard) Hebbert. Mose was the oldest of five children. He was raised in the Sandhills of Nebraska in the Gordon and Ashby area.
He attended high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1948. It was here he met the love of his life, Merla Lenore Rex. On Sept. 18, 1949, they were married in Hyannis.
Mose and Merla started out their married life working with Merla’s parents, Merle and Opal Rex, on what is now the Hebbert Charolais Ranch. Mose and Merla had five children, all of whom helped on the ranch as they grew up. Mose and Dave began raising Charolais cattle.
Mose grew up riding and working with horses. He started haying at the age of six on a horse drawn scatter rake. He fed hay using work horses until the early 1980s. Mose was a Gold Card member of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association and was a member of the Senior Pro Rodeo Association, competing in the team roping event. In 1972, he was the Runner-up Team Roping Champion in the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, winning the Nebraska Finals Rodeo TR average that year, partnering with his son, Dave.
Mose and Merla attended numerous school programs, ball games, art shows, and rodeos to support those they love. Loved ones knew when they looked into the stands, they would see Mose and Merla cheering them on.
Mose was honored as a Legacy Breeder by the American Quarter Horse Association, for having raised Quarter Horses for 50 consecutive years. He was a recipient of the Sautter Memorial Award and was inducted into the Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame. He loved his mares and liked to watch the offspring become successful ranch and arena horses.
Mose was a patient, quiet, gentle, honest, and kind man who touched many lives. He was a friend to all, young and old. He embraced humor with a twinkle in his eye and loved wholeheartedly.
Mose is survived by his wife of 71 years, Merla; daughters, Toni Knott of Arthur, Terry Wilson of Hastings, Cheryl (Jim) Sheets of Mullen, Tami (Pat) Taylor of Seneca, and daughter-in-law, Mickie Hebbert of Hyannis; grandchildren, Matthew (Lacy) Hebbert, Jake Hebbert, Joshua Hebbert, Sami Knott, Jennie (Dan) Dyer, Jessie Knott, Chelsie Wilson, Randi (Mark) Jensen, Travis (Randus) Sheets; 17 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandson. He is also survived by his brothers, Roger Hebbert, and Gary (Charlene) Hebbert, and brother-in-law Jerome Clemens.
Mose was preceded in death by his parents, son David, son-in-law Mick Knott, infant grandson Michael Knott, granddaughter Tessa Wilson, brother Gene Hebbert and sister Pinky Clemens.
A visitation and life celebration was held Nov. 5, 2020, at the Hebbert Sale Barn in Hyannis.
Burial will be at a later date at the Hyannis Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Hyannis Fire Department or the Hyannis Ambulance.
Mullen Funeral Home/Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. Words of encouragement and remembrance may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.