2008 Father of the Year Winner!!
CRAIG LOEFFELHOLZ of Ravenna
Nominated by Janelle Grabowski of Ravenna, who wrote:
I highly recommend Craig Loeffelholz, on behalf of his children, for the Nebraska Father of the Year Award. Craig is the father of two handicapped children who are incapable of ever walking or talking. He is also the legal guardian for another boy. He is totally involved with his kids from the minute they get up in the morning by feeding, dressing, and seeing them off to school, until he carries them and tucks into bed at night. He and his wife are responsible for the feeding, bathing, medicating of their children each and every day of their lives because they are not physically capable of doing it themselves. This is a huge commitment of time, effort, and love.
His daughter, Taylor, is an eleven-year-old 6th grader at Ravenna Elementary School. She loves being outside with her dad and even goes deer hunting with him! She is really a "Daddy's girl." I teach her in Sunday school at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna. She has a delightful personality and can definitely light up a room!
Craig's son, Jackson, is eight years old and in 3rd grade. He is so full of energy and very vocal with all the noises he makes. These two children never miss out on anything! They try to make life as normal as possible for them by involving them in the same activities as the other children. They dress up for trick-or-treating, have roller skating parties for their birthdays, go swimming, have horseback riding for therapy, attend Sunday school and VBS.
Stacie's cousin is also living with them now. Jake has had a very tough past because of a broken home. I teach him in 8th grade English. At his previous school he was not passing several of his classes. Now that he has someone at home who cares about him and helps him every night with his homework, he has made remarkable strides. Jake has fit in real well here because Craig and Stacie have gotten him involved with positive peers, sports, and our drug-free youth group STAR. The best change I see in Jake is because they attend church regularly as a family. He takes up the offering, attends Sunday school and catechism. He will be confirmed on May 4, which would not have happened if he had not moved in with the Loeffelholzes.
Craig is also the Godfather to Kelle Kuhl, who was critically injured after being shot with a gun and left under the bridge by Rockville. Craig was so devoted about visiting Kelle in the hospital and helping his family through this difficult situation. Also, Craig organized a soup dinner fund-raiser for Kelle's medical expenses. It was the best attended benefit I have ever been to--thanks to Craig's caring heart!
All in all, I hope you see what a wonderful father Craig is and why this honor would mean so much to him and his family. He is constantly helping others, especially his children, without ever expecting anything in return.
Also nominated by Bev Larson of Ravenna, who wrote:
Craig is a young father of 2 severely disabled children. Both are in wheelchairs and require physical assistance in all their daily life activities.
Craig and his wife have the kids not only in school daily but church, Sunday School and they visit the local nursing home with the rest of the kids. They are always well kept and their out bursts in church do not prevent them from coming, nor seem to cause the parents any discomfort.
Recently Craig changed jobs from the John Deere company to restore a historical building into a family restaurant. It is still under renovation. He is doing most of the work himself. Craig is quiet, patient, and I will never forget the look on his face as he held his baby daughter, being tested for possible problems.
What a family they are despite their challenges.
Return to 2008 Hall of Fame Winners.