Warren Haumann

Warren Haumann age 69 of Thedford, NE passed away Sunday, August 15, 2021, at his home in Thedford.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 2:00 pm at the Thedford High School Gymnasium in Thedford, with Rev. Mark Seivering and Miles Maseberg officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center or Superheroes of the Sandhills.  Mullen Funeral Home/Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

“There’s a difference between right and wrong”….the speech so many heard before walking out the Haumann door. As years went on Warren added, “Life is like an arrow; keep it straight and do your best to hit the target.” Warren was a man of few words but his actions and the way he lived his life was incredibly inspiring. Warren was the most amazing man most have ever known and touched more lives than I can count.

Warren Kelly Haumann blessed this world on April 29, 1952, and was born in Valentine NE. As a child he was ornery and adventurous, yet never gave his mom and Dad any troubles. He loved sports, playing the trumpet, and always kept busy. He began working for Consolidated as a young adult and loved the work he did there.

He met the love of his life, Shari VanDiest, the summer of 1976, and they married May 5, 1979. When they returned from their honeymoon, Warren handed Shari a shovel out on the Haumann homestead that was established in 1891 and said “lets start digging.” After four years of blood, sweat, and tears, they finally finished their forever home. Warren and Shari went on to have four children: Michael, Andrea, Daniel, and Hannah.

Warren began working for Custer Public Power District on Halloween 1983 when Michael was just an infant. He dedicated his life to his job and growing family. He loved Custer and serving the people of the sandhills. He had every intention of working at Custer as long as possible until cancer came along and shortened his time there. He did however put in over 32 years with the company and was always so proud of his work.  

From the time Warren was a small child, he had a love for aviation. His sister Janice remembers a story of Warren thinking he could fly off the chicken coop. He ended up breaking his arm but later in life did get his pilot’s license and went on to serve many years on the Thedford airport board.

Warren was the definition of an honest, hardworking, Christian man, and instilled the most amazing work ethic, morals, and values, into his kids and those who called him their “second father.” Warren had a love for people that was simply indescribable, and he treated each and every person he came across with the utmost respect.

Warren passed at his home on August 15, 2021, after a long nine-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. Warren was surrounded by his wife and kids in his final moments. Warren is preceded in death by his father David Haumann, father-in-law Norval VanDiest, grandson Jack Michele and cousin Trish Ratkovec. He is survived by his mother Vada Haumann, brother Alan (Ronda) Haumann, sister Janice (Mike) Hodges, wife Shari Haumann, mother-in-law Marlene VanDiest, brothers-in-law Brian (Mary) VanDiest, and Norman (Chris) VanDiest, children Michael (Sendi Haumann), Andrea (Matthew Michele), Daniel (Taryn Haumann), Hannah Haumann, and Tyler Sherwood, along with seven grandchildren: Bayleigh Irvin, Alaina, Logan, and Kelli Michele, Jonathan Hull, and Paighton and Tinsley Sherwood. He is also survived by 30+ cousins, and many nieces and nephews.