Eric C. Heller

With tremendous sadness, we announce the passing of Eric Charles Heller, 66, who died peacefully, surrounded by family on May 16, 2025, after an intense battle with an aggressive brain glioblastoma.

Eric was born March 19, 1959, in Baumholder, West Germany, to Gertrud (Boehme) and Charles Heller. Arriving home, he was welcomed by his older sister, who wanted to trade him for a dog. Fortunately, the trade fell through, and the four Hellers traveled overseas to make their home in Veteran, Wyoming.

Cowboy life apparently made an indelible impression on his mind. Eric graduated from Loup County High School in Taylor, NE, in 1977, working at Myron's gas station and learning about farming and livestock. Having been teased about wearing "Sunday school shoes" - when he played little league baseball - he bought his first pair of cowboy boots in sixth grade. From then on, his feet rarely knew anything else.

From his time in the Sandhills, Eric fell in "like" with crops and cattle. Upon moving to Guide Rock, NE, in 1979, Eric attended CCC in Hastings, worked at a seed distributor company, ran his own gas station, and finally hired on as a farmhand.

In June 1987, Eric married the horse-woman who captured his heart, Sandee Herrick. The couple was blessed with two children, Taylor and Korrie. Together, the little family raised horses, dogs, cats, cattle, and at least one raccoon. Constantly working to give his family a good life, Eric was extremely proud to watch both of his children grow up to establish successful homes and careers.

As his family grew, Eric was at last able to buy land and equipment to begin his own farming operation. Along with tending his fields and cattle, Eric was always helping others, giving of his time and his knowledge whenever someone needed a hand up - IF you could reach him at the local gas station. He could always keep track of his coffee cup, but never his cell phones.

In the course of his work, Eric became adept at building and repairing anything from machinery to houses, and at demolition of old properties and clearing trees to gain fields. His land holdings and machinery increased, along with his pickups.

Eric loved fishing with his friends as a young man, especially when the Republican river overflowed and brought 40 lb cats out of hiding. Although he didn't swim, he was right down there in the water with the rest of the guys.

He loved watching Taylor's journey through baseball, and Korrie's trek through the 4-H horse shows. Always a fan of Cornhusker football, he loved attending UNL games. Car shows with Taylor were a bonus for him, and he was an avid reader, particularly of civil war history. Most of his family and friends knew well - and if you didn't, he would make sure to tell you - his political beliefs. He loved a good debate.

Eric was a man of his convictions. He watched the world and the people in it with a cynical eye; one of his favorite comments was, "You can't fix stupid!"

Eric was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest sister, Heide Christine. Left to cherish his time on earth are his wife of Guide Rock, son Taylor (Laura) of Lincoln, daughter Korrie (Spencer) Sydow of Hastings, sisters Gabriele (Daniel) Runge of Kearney, Belle Williams of Hastings, Anne-Marie (Bruce) Ohmstede of Guide Rock, along with a host of relatives and friends.

Because Eric stayed out of the spotlight (except for winning the Webster County Demo Derby one summer), he requested a private family interment. Condolences may be sent in care of the family. Happy Trails to You, Cowboy!

A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 am, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Guide Rock Community Gymnasium.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970

Phone 401-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com