COTANT, HAROLD FAMILY

by Harold and Dee Cotant

Entry F91 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Harold Cotant Family - 1985. L to R: Sarah,
Harold, Deloras and Steve. Front: Marc.

William Harold Cotant was born
1932, near Mullen, Nebraska in
Cherry County on his grandparents ranch
(Stephen Willis). His parents are Elva and
the late Harvey Cotant. Harold attended
grade school in Cherry County, Nebraska,
finishing the eighth grade at the Reigle
School. All four years of High School were
spent at Mullen High. Harold graduated in
1950.

Harold worked on local ranches until June
1953. He served in the Army from June 1953
to April 1955, spending sixteen months of this
time in Germany. He then attended Nebras-
ka State Trade School at Milford, Nebraska,
receiving his diploma in Carpentry and
cabinet making in June 1956. He worked
around Mullen until the fall of 1958. Then he
went to Grand Island and built houses until
the spring of 1961 when he returned to
Mullen to work on different ranches.

Harold married Delores Gasseling at Hem-
ingford, Nebraska August 21, 1961. Harold
and Dee lived in the Mullen area following
their marriage. During this time Harold was
involved in the ranching business and Dee
taught rural school, elementary K-8, schools
in Cherry County.

In the spring of 1969 the family moved to
Hemingford and went into farming and
ranching. The business consists of an Angus
cow - calf operation; raising alfalfa for hay
and small grain crops, such as wheat, oats and
millet.

Harold and Dee's children are Stephen
Thomas born 1963 at Mullen.
Sarah Lynne, born 1967 at
Mullen and Marc William born at Scotts-
bluff, Nebraska 1980.

Steve and Sarah received their elementary
education in Dawes County, rural schools.
Their High School years were spent at
Harrison, Nebraska. They both graduated
from Sioux County High School. Steve
furthered his education, by attending and
graduating from the Auto Mechanics pro-
gram at West Nebraska Trade School at
Sidney, Nebraska. He also spent a couple
summers in Oklahoma working for farmers.
He is currently employed with UPS in
Alliance, Nebraska.

Sarah is currently living in Chadron,
Nebraska and is a Junior at Chadron State
College, pursuing her interest in business and
vocal music. She has worked at Fort Robin-
son during the summer as a wrangler, giving
trail rides to tourists.

Marc began his education in the Chadron
School system in the fall of 1986. His
kindergarten was spent at Kenwood. He is a
first grader at East Ward this year - same
school system, just a different location. Marc
enjoys school and has been playing soccer.

While Harold tends the ranch, Dee has
been pursuing a College Degree at Chadron
State College and is in her Senior year.