Joe Hempstead

Joseph Gerald Hempstead passed away at home surrounded by family on December 3, 2020. He was born to Agnes (Tully) and Vaughn Hempstead on December 15, 1958, in Broken Bow, NE. Joe graduated from Anselmo-Merna High School in 1977. Joe loved to ride bulls, train horses, and spending time with family.

Joe began his nomadic lifestyle when his was 15 years old in a green Ford pickup with a camper topper. He trained horses all over the United States, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Alaska. He was the fourth of nine kids born to Agnes and Vaughn. They raised their family on the farm where he learned how to work with horses and other animals. Joe rode bulls up until a few years before his death and still trained horses up until Covid hit. Joe has always lived his life out of whatever vehicle he was driving. You could always find everything he owned in his car, including a microwave and small a/c unit. He often made his home in a tent or stall in whatever barn he was working out of, always keeping his saddle along with his tack close by.

One of Joe’s favorite sayings was “I’m glad Father’s Day has come and gone, and I didn’t get a Father’s Day card from anyone”.

Joe is survived by siblings Patrick Hempstead of Loveland, CO, Robert (Jayne) Hempstead of Mimbres, NM, Jacqueline Hempstead of Kearney, NE, Daniel (Cindy) Hempstead of Anselmo, NE, Thomas (Tammy) Hempstead of Columbus, NE, and Paul Hempstead of Grand Island, NE. Many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, dear friends, and brother in law Jerry (Kathy) Hickenbottom of Kearney.

Joe is proceeded in death by his parents, sisters Vicky Hickenbottom, and Tammy Hempstead, and niece Jessica Roepke.

Memorial service will be Saturday, December 5. 2020 at 9:30 am at the St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Anselmo with Father Jim Hunt officiating. Rosary will be at 9:00 am before the service. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed for words of encouragement or remembrance at www.govierbrothers.com. Govier Brothers Mortuary will comply with the CDC and State of Nebraska.

Memorial service will be Saturday, December 5. 2020 at 9:30 am at the St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Anselmo with Father Jim Hunt officiating. Rosary will be at 9:00 am before the service. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed for words of encouragement or remembrance at www.govierbrothers.com. Govier Brothers Mortuary will comply with the CDC and State of Nebraska.