Ted Dale Hilderhoff, age 47, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, from injuries sustained in a one vehicle accident outside Valentine, Nebraska.
Ted was born July 1, 1973, in Mullen, Nebraska, to Bonnie (Boyer) and Edward Hilderhoff. He graduated from Mullen High School and went on to Milford to earn a degree in Diesel Mechanics.
Ted then worked at York Equipment, but was needed at home when his father passed away. He came home to help his mom run the station. After a while, the Sandhills called his name and he started working on a ranch. Eventually, he landed at Arabia Ranch 15 years ago and has managed the ranch for the past 9 years.
He loved being in God’s country every day. He said he went to ‘church’ every day because he saw the beautiful land, his cattle, horses, dogs and family.
Ted married Cherie Thomas on July 2, 2011. They have two boys together, Ryder and Edward Hilderhoff. They met at a dance in Johnstown, Nebraska, and have danced their way through life with each other. Ted said that his best hand was his wife, since she was the only one who understood his short messages and broken sentences.
Ted was a true cowboy, he didn’t know a stranger and had a big heart for all of us that were around him. He made many friends who turned into family. Our ranch families are what keep everything moving forward.
Ted loved to hunt, fish, ride his horse and work the cattle with his hard-working cattle dogs. His favorite time of year on the ranch was calving. He loved all of the babies and watching them grow. He also loved taking his two boys with him on the ranch and teaching them the cowboy ways. Ryder and Edward loved riding horses with their dad. Anytime Ted was out in God’s country was a good day.
Ted was always smiling and joking; he kept everybody on their toes at all times.
He is survived by his wife Cherie; sons Ryder and Edward; mother Bonnie of Mullen; sister Tammy (Lloyd) Cash; nephews: Sam (Stephanie) Hilderhoff and Terry and Andy Cash; parents-in-laws Lorrin and Suzie Thomas; and sister-in-law Shana Thomas.
Ted was preceded in death by his father Edward Hilderhoff; grandparents Dale and Ruth Andersen and Earl and Jean Boyer; uncle Larry Isom Leonard, aunt Gladys Smith, John and Marge Osenbaugh, Fred and Neta Osenbaugh, Hank and Maybell Cox and numerous other relatives.
Services were held Feb. 10, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Valentine. Interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine.
Memorials may be made in care of the Hilderhoff Family.