Bernard Keith Heuermann

1925 - 2025

Bernard Keith Heuermann

April 19, 1925 - March 29, 2025

Bernard Keith Heuermann, 99, of Phillips, went to be with the Lord in his eternal home on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Grand Island a few short weeks before his 100th birthday.

Keith's family invites the public to a visitation on Wednesday, April 2nd from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Phillips Memorial Hall. A Private Celebration of Life will be held for the family at a later date. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made in care of family. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.

B.K. Heuermann was born to Bernard B. and Maggie M. (Hartnell) Heuermann on April 19, 1925 in rural Phillips, Nebraska and passed away in Grand Island, Nebraska on March 29, 2025, at the age of 99.

Throughout childhood, Keith worked alongside his father on their family farm, Prairie Valley Farms. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1942. His formative years led to his enrollment at the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture, where he delved into his studies and the world of seed corn research. Equipped with this training and $12 from his father to purchase foundation seed, Keith and his father and brother, Gene, founded Prairie Valley Hybrids. The company developed some of the earliest known single cross hybrids in 1957; that same year, he would complete his bachelor's degree.

While Keith was busy with business, he met his love and future wife, Norma Faye (Graham) Heuermann, out dancing one evening. The two married on August 18, 1962, and raised four children. Keith and Norma were proud, lifelong Phillips and Hamilton County residents.

In 1979, after years of success, Prairie Valley Hybrids sold; however, Keith's entrepreneurial endeavors were not complete. After years of research and development in popcorn hybrids, BKH Popcorn Inc. sold its first products in 1992 and continued selling retail microwave popcorn and commercial mushroom popcorn until the company's sale in 2007.

Keith's community involvement included leadership on numerous boards and serving within many organizations, including: Farmers State Bank of Aurora, Pinnacle Bank of Aurora, Nebraska Seedsman Association, Nebraska Seed Advisory Committee, Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors, University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee, Keystone Lodge #62, Aurora Development Corporation, and the Phillips United Methodist Church. He received numerous awards for his contributions in agriculture, business, and philanthropy, including: the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association's Premier Seed Grower (1968) and Distinguished Service Award (1993), UNL College of Business Entrepreneur of the Year (1998) Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame (1999), the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement (2000), and the NEBRASKA land Foundation Award (2016).

In Keith's early years, he enjoyed racing motorcycles and later aviation, owning and flying his plane. He was a deeply committed Cornhusker fan, attending almost every home football game for over 50 years. Keith deeply cared for his family, never missing his grandchildren's activities. He had countless friends and gave generously. His philanthropic endeavors included support for education, disabled individuals, and rural communities. He will be remembered as an entrepreneur, leader, philanthropist, and, more importantly, a deeply missed husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Norma Heuermann of Phillips; sister, Alma (Norma) Rohlfing of Talmage; son, Scott (Lynn) Heuermann of Roca; daughters, Cindy Meek of Edna, KS and Linda (Stan) Bell) of Dyersburg, TN; daughter-in-law, Jody Heuermann of Central City and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Dorothy (Darren) Nelson, Martha (Ralph) Knobel, and Elizabeth Heuermann, brother, Gene (Marilyn) Heuermann, and son, Alan Heuermann.