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Henry David Van Der Hart, 3 months, was the second born of David L. and Grace E. (Novak) Van Der Hart.

Born November 7th, 2025, in Herman, Nebraska, he was immediately transferred to NICU, where he was diagnosed with CMV and acute liver failure. After a difficult battle for health, he died from post-liver transplant complications on January 28th, 2026, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Resting peacefully in his Mom's and Papa's arms, angels carried him into the heavenly presence of the Great Physician, where he is finally and perfectly healed.

As his lengthy "Beads of Courage" string shows, he had a very busy and eventful little life. He visited three Omaha NICUs — (Methodist Women's Hospital, UNMC, and Children's); UNMC PICU; and many operating rooms; had a complete liver transplant; and received four ambulance rides, one of which had to detour midway due to a power outage at the destination hospital.

He was well known throughout UNMC as Dear Henry, Little Henry, Strong Henry and Sweet Boy.

Beside his parents, he received the best of love, care and attention from many janitors, doctors, CNAs, nurses, other staff, and "neighbors" in every room and floor he visited.

He will be remembered for his stubborn fight for health, his intent eyes, his love of music and singing, his delight in watching his crib mobile of elephants, his determination to have his hands free, and his ability to remove lines and tubes, especially from his face.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, (namesake) Henry Van Der Hart, Samuel and Dorothy (Sharp) Eadie, and (namesake) David Novak; aunts, Deborah Van Der Hart and Merry (Gillespie) Van Der Hart; uncle, Josiah Van Der Hart; and cousins, Esther Van Der Hart and Timothy Van Der Hart.

He leaves his parents; sister, Clara Van Der Hart; grandparents, Mark and Dorcas (Eadie) Van Der Hart of Tekamah, NE, and Thomas and Stacie (Butler) Novak of Highland, WI; great-grandparents, Ann (White) Van Der Hart of Central City, NE, Lois (Epple) Novak of Highland, and Roger and Christine (Blackburn) Butler of Boscobel, WI; as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:30 a.m. at Reach Church, 13121 County Road 16, Blair, NE 68008

VISITATION: Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery, Tekamah, NE

MEMORIALS: To the family for future designation

Pelan Funeral Services Jim & Danielle Pelan

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #292114658