John K. “Jack” Aegerter was born Nov. 9, 1932, near Staplehurst, on the family farm. Jack was baptized into the Christian faith at home on Dec. 11, 1932. He grew up in the Staplehurst area, where he attended school and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1950. Jack was confirmed Jan. 25, 1951, at St John Lutheran Church.
After high school, Jack farmed and worked at Rolfsmeier Dairy. On June 8, 1957, Jack was united in marriage to Betty Rolfsmeier at St. John Lutheran Church and to this union, three daughters were born. Jack and his brother, Gene, owned Herpolsheimer’s for 49 years until selling the business in 2010. He served on the Seward County Fair Board for 55 years and on the Nebraska State Fair Board for 23 years, where he served as president and held office on each of the boards. Jack was a member and officer on the Nebraska Rebounder’s Board and served on the Seward City Council. Jack started the tradition of playing Santa for Seward County’s children in 1958 and continued for the next 50 years, finally hanging up the boots in 2008. He was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder and on other various church boards.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mervin and wife, Jane Aegerter, Harold and wife, Ruth Aegerter, Arden and wife, Betty Jane Aegerter, Ted and wife, Phyllis Aegerter, Gene and wife, Delores Aegerter.
Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Aegerter, Seward; three daughters, Jodi and husband, Butch Schaefer, Seward, Jackie and husband, Tony Vanis, Seward, Kim Ewing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Courtney and husband, Peyton Cookus, Seward and their children, Koen and Kade, Chisum Ewing, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Nathan Vanis and wife, Krista, Grand Junction, Colorado, Zane and wife, Angie Schaefer, Lincoln and their children, Zoey and Wyatt, Garrett and wife, Ashley Vanis, Staplehurst, and their son, Liam; sister-in-law, Bev Harvey, Grand Island; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
A Celebration of Life is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with interment at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seward County Ag Society. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
