Hugh Wilber was born to Carl and Gertrude (House) Wilber on April 8, 1929 in Gordon, NE. He passed away on November 15 at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine. The family moved to Valentine when Hugh was a year old. He attended school in Valentine where he was a player on the 1945 undefeated, unscored upon football team. He graduated in 1947 and attended the University of Nebraska for one year.
Hugh met Margaret Wade during their high school years. They were married on October 3, 1948. Two daughters were born to them, Judy and Connie.
Hugh started working for Leon and Fern Prang when he was 16. When he came back from Lincoln, he again worked for them at Prang’s Apparel Store and spent 50 years in the business. He and Margaret purchased the business from the Prang’s in 1963. In addition, they started the H & M Bootery, which later moved into the building he both designed and built. They also started the Daylight Donut. After retiring, Hugh started Wilber’s Small Engine Repair.
Both Hugh and Margaret were proud supporters of their community. The Chamber of Commerce office was operated out of their businesses until a permanent home was established in the 1990’s. Hugh had served as President of the organization and a board director. One of the highlights of their Chamber work was a friendship struck up with a contingency from Japan they had entertained in their home. After hosting the group on three occasions they were given a trip to Japan. Hugh was a long time member of Rotary, served as various officers and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as Treasurer and Trustee of the United Methodist Church for many years and was on the committee to build the present building. In 2016 he was honored for over 60 years of membership. Along with Margaret they sponsored the MYF for many years. A Fireman for over 50 years, Hugh served as Secretary-Treasurer for many years. He was especially proud of the part he played in helping to raise the funds for the early trucks the department purchased. A huge supporter of the arts, he and Margaret were Music Boosters for many years and chaired the Coronation activities on numerous occasions. He also sang in the Community choir. Although Margaret was the ram-rod, Hugh was responsible for helping with the activities of the Cherry County and Valentine Centennial Celebrations. He helped with sets for the Valentine Players.
The Wilber’s received many awards for their involvement, including the Aksarben Good Neighbor Award and the Heart City Heart Award, at least twice. Hugh was also the recipient of a Badger Booster Award. They seldom missed a game, whether they had family members participating or not. Although not widely known, more than one football player had shoes donated to them. Most of the grandchildren’s teammates claimed them as THEIR grandparents.
Woodworking was a passion of Hugh’s and all of the grandchildren, and great grands were given unique toy boxes, such as railroad cars, fire trucks and pickups. The home they lived in for 40 years was built and maintained with his labor. The hearts advertising recreational activities along Main Street were taken from the pattern he created as name signs for his family, patterned after a design he had created for mile markers coming to Valentine. The Christmas decorations that adorned their home were featured in Better Home and Gardens magazine. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and golfing, and the occasional “Prayer Meeting” with some of the guys on Thursday evenings.
Along with other Rotarians, Hugh started the recycling in Valentine, even manning the Center until taken over by the Environmental businesses. Up until a few months before going to the Nursing Home, Hugh picked up recycling for many of his neighbors. He enjoyed his coffee group and treasured his friends there. At Pine View, Hugh kept the pine cones picked up and the edges of the sidewalk never looked as good.
Preceding Hugh in death are his wife Margaret, his parents, a brother, Jacque and wife Luella, sister Joy and husband, Orville and sister Hope and husband, Kenneth Graeff. Survivors include daughters Judy (Bill) Mulligan and Connie (Jerry) Rhoades. Six grandchildren: Michele (John) Witt, Penny (Sean) Doherty, Shannon (Eric) Ravenscroft, Jodi Hanshew, Sean (Bryel) Mulligan and Jill (Joel) Anderson. Eleven great-grandchildren, Bailey and Rhett Witt, Madeline Doherty, Jaylynn, Taylor, Elle and Tucker Ravenscroft, Jacob and Jiles Hanshew, Mason Mulligan, Isaac (Kelsey) and Ashlyn Anderson,and one brother-in-law, James Frohman. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and friends.
Hugh Wilber, age 92, of Valentine passed away on Nov. 15, 2021 at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine. Private family graveside service will be held at Mt. Cemetery in Valentine. Visitation will be at 6:00 PM on Nov. 19 at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.