About Byron Community Center

Clarence and Betty Kettlehut​

​​Clarence (C.W.) and Betty (Artz) Kettelhut were both born in 1924 and raised in the Byron area. They married in 1945 and spent most of their lives near Byron, farming, raising their daughter, and staying active in the church and community. Both Clarence and Betty passed away in 2012, leaving a lasting legacy to their church and community. The current residents of Byron and the surrounding area honor Clarence and Betty Kettelhut, the Fund's largest donors to date, who have gifted land valued at over $1.2 million. This tribute was written and presented by Clarence's friend, Mrs. Amy Harris.

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Great Plains Communications

Great Plains challenged the Byron Community Foundation Fund to a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant up to $30,000 for furnishing the Byron Fitness Center. An additional donation of $20,000 was given to the Community Center, bringing the total gift up to $50,000.

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United States Department of Agriculture

The village was granted $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be used toward the purchase of library shelves, library furniture, computers, refrigerator, freezer, ice machine, televisions and tables. Donations to the Community Foundation met the village obligation of $16,700 match for this grant.

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Jon Eggers

Jon Eggers grew up in Byron, Nebraska and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Art from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1978, Painting, drawing and design were his strengths and have continue to frame his career path for many years. Jon currently lives in Berthoud, Colorado with his wife, Erica and children Tatiana and Sergey. Jon’s attendance at his 40th high school reunion in May 2014 inspired him to paint a picture of Historic Byron for the new Community Center.

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The Byron Community Foundation Fund: Gifts of Grain

The fund was established in July 2011. During its first year the Fund received 18 gifts of grain worth more than $100,000. With additional cash gifts and pledges, the Fund raised over $450,000 in less than a year. Chair Jeremy Heitmann has some ideas about why the gifts of grain have come pouring in. “You can say we had the wind at our backs with the farm economy. People are capable of giving now, much more than in the past. And it's a win-win situation when you can get a full tax deduction and still write off all of your expenses. A lot of people were surprised they could do this,” Heitmann said. He points to another reason for the recent success. “For many years we've needed a new community center. It's important to our town. The question was how we were going to do it,” said Heitmann. “We found out that starting up our own foundation would take more than 18 months.”

People knew they needed to act quickly. So they turned to the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) for help. “There is no way we could have accomplished what we have without the support and expertise of the Nebraska Community Foundation,” Heitmann said.

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​​​(left to right) Jeremy Heitmann, Linda Heitmann, Marlyn Heitmann, Steve Heitmann, Tobe Duensing, Greg Eitzmann, Heath Eitzmann, Harlan Eitzmann, Scott Eitzmann, Blake Heitmann, Tyler Tietjen, Tim Eitzmann, and Burl Holmes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Founder’s Club

Donors gifting amounts of $1000 or more from inception of the Fund through December 31, 2015 are considered the “Founders” of the Byron Community Foundation Fund, as they helped start the fund and donated to the initial capital project (the Community Center) Special recognition will be given by placing a personalized brick in the Community Center for each of these founders. If you have interest in being a Founder’s Club Member, contact a member of the Advisory Committee or Fundraising Committee before December 31, 2016.

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Special thanks to the efforts of:

• Byron Community Foundation Advisory Committee: (left to right) Laura Tuma, Jaye Moeller, Melissa Kuhlmann, Eldon Kirchoff, Jeremy Heitmann, (not pictured) Tobe Duensing, Tyler Tietjen, Layne Hoops and Bruce Freitag. 

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• Building Committee: Jaye Moeller, Tyler Tietjen, Jason Kuhlmann, Layne Holmes, Susan Tietjen and Gladys Hobelmann.
   

• Fund Raising Committee: Chris Heitmann, Burl Holmes, Corey Heitmann, Greg Eitzmann, Tim Eitzmann, Alan Wenske and Clay Siemsen.
   

• Byron Community Building District: Jaye Moeller, Tyler Tietjen, Tim Wenske, Kevin Wollenberg and Marlyn Heitmann.
   

• Library Board: Sonja Nutsch, Laveta Wit, Deb Eitzmann, Crystal Krenke and Sheena Moeller.
   

• Village Board: Kevin Wollenberg, Jaye Moeller, Rich Poppe, Chris Heitmann and Lyle Ritterling.

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