Joseph Conrad Huerta

Joseph Conrad Huerta, age 90, of Cozad, Nebraska passed away on Friday, December 1st, 2017 at the Cozad Community Hospital in Cozad, Nebraska. J. Conrad Huerta was born in Kansas City, Kansas on February 19, 1927 to Manuela (Ledesma) and Pasqual Huerta. The family moved to the Valley of Mitchell/Scottsbluff Nebraska while he was a child. He graduated from Mitchell High School, Mitchell, Nebraska in 1945. After high school Conrad went to serve in the United States Army. He attended Officer’s Candidate school and served as 2nd Lieutenant during the Korean War. He was Honorably discharged from active duty in 1954 and returned home. He enrolled at Chadron State College where he studied Education. He was the first student of Mexican/American Descent to attend Chadron State College. Many friends and his brothers, followed his example and went on to Chadron to successfully earn a degree. While at Chadron State College, Conrad was actively involved and lettered in college baseball and track. Conrad hit the first ever HOMERUN for the Eagles. In the spring of 1955 he met his future wife Mary Nell (Semroska) of Chadron, Nebraska. They married in 1956. In 1955, J. Conrad Huerta graduated from Chadron State College with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. He was employed by District #3 in the Mirage Flats near Alliance, Nebraska as the head teacher. Conrad continued in Education as a teacher/administrator for 37 years. He received his Master’s Degree in 1959 and his Specialist Degree in 1973. As he pursued his administration degrees he served the schools of Martin Elementary School- Martin South Dakota, Hay Springs Public Schools- Hay Springs, Ne, Sargent Public Schools-Sargent, Ne, Newman Grove Public Schools- Newman Grove, Ne, Beaver City Public Schools- Beaver City, Ne, Elwood Public Schools- Elwood, NE. He retired from Education in 1992 and continued working the summers for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at Johnson Lake Recreational Area. Conrad enjoyed singing with the Barbershop Chorus in Lexington, Ne but he especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Conrad was preceded in death by his parents, Manuela and Pasqual Huerta, his sisters Sr. Pasqualita Huerta, Connie McDowell and Theresa Ramirez, his brothers Jose (Natalie) Huerta and Pasqual Huerta , Jr., and step sister Agnus DeBano. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nell (Semroska), his six children Kathy (Bill) Simpson-Lincoln, NE, Tony (Connie) Huerta- Caddo Mills, TX, Greg (Lisa) Huerta, Kearney, NE, Andy (Bev) Huerta- Aurora, CO, Vickie (Kevin) Gilbert, Cozad, NE and Tim (Krista) Huerta, Lexington, NE; 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren with one more on the way. Sisters Rita Garcia, Kansas City, MO, Cora Lucius, Albuquerque, NM, Mary Blanchard, Wray CO, Brothers: Salvador (Helen) Huerta, Scottsbluff, NE, Philip J Huerta Roswell, NM, Patrick (Franca) Huerta, Bern, Switzerland, Steven Huerta, Scottsbluff, NE, Sister in laws: Laura Huerta, Brighton, CO., Irene Rex, Rapid City, SD., Mary Ellen Semroska, Brother in laws; Ray (Doreen) Semroska, Harrison, NE, Ed (Marylou) Semroska, Omaha, NE., Joe (Karen) Semroska, Little Falls, MN., Mary Ellen Semroska, Harrison, NE and many nieces and nephews. Conrad wanted to be remembered as a loving spouse, father and grandfather. As a person proud of his family and his heritage. As an American of Mexican Ancestry protecting the best of two cultures. As a devoted Catholic leaving everything in God’s hands. As a person who believes in doing ordinary things in an extra ordinary way. Memorials Christ the King Catholic Church or Cozad Community Hospital , Cozad, Ne. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at elwoodfuneralhome.com. Viewing will be 1 hour before Rosary and Funeral Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, Cozad. Rosary will be Monday, December 4, 2017 at 7 PM at Christ the King Catholic Church of Cozad, Nebraska. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 10 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cozad, Nebraska. Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, at Maxwell, Nebraska at a later date. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.