BEATRICE — The 4-H community raised money with an auction at the Gage County Fair on Sunday for children whose parents died last year of COVID-19.
Approximately $40,000 was raised for Trenn, Joey and Ethan Hoffman-Ideus in 30 minutes during a rolling auction, where each bidder contributes the amount their bid increased the previous bid.
Just after the Gage County Fair last year, the three brothers lost their dad, Glenn Ideus, to COVID-19 on Aug. 25. Their mom, Tracy Hoffman-Ideus, died Nov. 11 after a long battle with the coronavirus.
The family farmed near Cortland and raised cattle and sheep.
Both Glenn and Tracy had been active in 4-H and FFA in their youth. They enjoyed going to county fairs and helping their sons show sheep.
All three of the boys are members of the Nemaha Valley 4-H Club. Trenn is a 10-year member and also belongs to the Freeman FFA.
After Glenn died in August and Tracy remained hospitalized, Brenda Smith, Glenn’s sister, moved into the family’s home to live with the boys.
“We were just trying to maintain the farm and take care of things,” she said. “All of the boys share responsibilities and help out.”
The boys will attend Freeman School in the fall. Ethan, a fourth grader, will be living in Beatrice with Tracy’s sister, Becky Dorn. Joey, a ninth grader, will be living with the Kettleson family near Adams. Trenn, a 12th grader, is going to be residing with Eldon and Gaynelle Ideus, near Pickrell.
Eldon Ideus, Glenn’s brother, farmed with Glenn.
“So many members of the community helped last fall,” Eldon said. “It was overwhelming. People came to help with harvest."
“The 4-H leaders would check in regularly and helped us so we didn’t miss deadlines,” Brenda added. “Some friends came to help care for the animals, too.”
Marlan, Glenn’s brother, from Amherst, said that a lot of the churches in the community and even in Jefferson County have helped too.
Don Esau, Gage County Ag Society President, said that a few of the fathers in the 4-H club approached him Saturday afternoon and wanted to do something for the Hoffman-Ideus family.
“It was a pretty quick turnaround, but the board discussed it and voted in support of a rolling auction to benefit the family,” Esau said. “It was amazing what the community does to support people. Truly neat to be a part of that experience. This is what people do in Southeast Nebraska and we just want to help out where we can.”
At the end of the auction, the Hoffman-Ideus family that had been standing in the show ring received a standing ovation.
“There were not a lot of dry eyes in the barn,” Esau said.
Trenn said he has learned that when things are hard, it’s the people closest to you that make a difference.
“It’s my friends, family, neighbors and community that have been there for us,” he said.
The Gage County Ag Society will continue to take donations for the Hoffman-Ideus family on its website (gagecountyfair.com). Donations can also be sent to P.O. Box 671, Beatrice, NE 68310.
The Gage County Ag Society held a rolling auction Sunday for the Hoffman-Ideus family raising approximately $40,000. Trenn, Joey and Ethan's parents, Glenn and Tracy, died last year as a result of COVID-19.