Nebraskaland Foundation honors Ernie Weyeneth

Thursday, March 7, 2019
Ernie Weyneth, second from left, accepts an award from Gov. Pete Ricketts at the annual Statehood Day Dinner held in the Capitol Rotunda and Great Hall in Lincoln. The Distinguished Nebraskalander was presented by The Nebraskaland Foundation and recognizes outstanding service to the state. Weyneth is a McCook native. Also receiving recognition at the event were Sara Brandes Crook of Otoe County and Ray and Jennfier O’Connor of Grand Island.
Courtesy photo

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraskaland Foundation honored a McCook native with the designation of Distinguished Nebraskalander at the foundation’s annual Statehood Day Dinner held March 2nd at the State Capitol in Lincoln.

Ernie Weyeneth, along with Sara Brandes Crook of Otoe County and Ray and Jennifer O’Connor of Grand Island, were all honored for their service to Nebraska.

Weyeneth, who graduated from McCook High School in 1965, has used his financial investment expertise in many ways to serve Nebraska over forty-five years. He serves in many civic capacities; most notable are the Kimmel Foundation and the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees.

A farm boy, Weyeneth graduated from McCook Community College and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and later in the U.S. Marine Corp, Second Marine Air Wing, as a Corpsman. Ernie belongs to the American Legion of Danbury, Neb.

Ernie has worked in the investment business for over 45 years leading to his current position of Vice President/Investments and Portfolio Manager at Stifel. He also served on the American Express Foundation Board of Directors.

President of the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation since 1986, Ernie directs programs emphasizing education, agriculture, art, and the humanities in Nebraska. In addition to its grant-making, the foundation operates an artist residency center, KHN Center for the Arts in Nebraska City.

Ernie created the Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard Educational Foundation in 2011. The foundation operates the Historic Kimmel Orchard in Nebraska City, and is dedicated to agricultural education research, historic preservation, and providing a wholesome family experience.

The Nebraskaland Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, educate, and promote Nebraska. The organization was formed under the leadership of Governor Frank Morrison, another McCook native, in 1962. The organization also sponsors youth programs focused on Nebraska topics, including the annual State Contest of National History Day at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

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