Local News

FIRST BABY OF 2008: Kaitlyn Brooke Hecox, daughter of Bryan and Michele Hecox, was the first baby born at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital in 2008. She arrived at 8:37 a.m. on her due date—Jan. 5.

First baby for couple, for GMH in 2008

Kaitlyn Brooke Hecox born 3 1/2 hours after couple arrives at hospital

By Elizabeth Barrett

January 10, 2008

Michelle Hecox had been shopping in North Platte when she felt her first contraction Friday night.

“I was on my way to pick up Bryan who was at Menard’s,” Hecox said. “The contraction was pretty significant.”

The couple then drove to their home in Wild Horse Valley where they monitored Michelle’s contractions through the night.

Finally at about 5 a.m. Saturday, they decided to go to Gothenburg Memorial Hospital.

“It was a little uncomfortable traveling on bumpy roads,” Michelle recalled with a laugh.

Deciding to drive to the hospital was a good thing because when the couple arrived about 45 minutes later, Michelle was dilated eight to nine centimeters which meant she was close to delivery.

They didn’t have to wait long as Kaitlyn Brooke Hecox—the hospital’s first baby of 2008— was born at 8:37 a.m.

The couple’s first baby, she weighed six pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Even though several people had mentioned their baby might be the first born in the new year, Michelle and Bryan said they weren’t expecting it.

“It wasn’t our objective but it’s a nice little perk,” Michelle said.

Grandparents are Steve Hecox and Norrene Anderson, both of Gothenburg.

Other Gothenburg Memorial Hospital new year’s babies are:

2007—On Jan. 15, Enrique William Block was born to Loren and Sue-Ellen Block. He arrived at 4:55 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz.

2006—On Jan. 3, Sean Anthony McClement was born to Donna McClement of Gothenburg. He arrived at 7:05 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs., 6 1/2 oz.

2005—On Jan. 2, Ashton Marie Harbur was born to Jeff and Christy Harbur of rural Cozad. She arrived at 6:18 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs., .03 oz.

2004—On Jan. 27, Arissa Reyn Ackerman was born to Mike and Carmen Ackerman of Gothenburg. She arrived at 10:19 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs., 8 1/2 oz.

2003—On Jan. 15, Emma Marie Einspahr was born to Terry and Lisa Einsphar of Farnam. She arrived at 2 a.m. and weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz.

2002—On Jan. 3, Mason Sean Bales was born to Nicole Barnes and Steve Bales of Farnam. He arrived at 12:50 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz.

2001—On Jan. 15, Andrew James Maline was born to Keith and Anita Maline of Gothenburg. He arrived at 11:19 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs., 13 oz.

2000—On Jan. 4, Annastasia Cheyenne McCracken was born to April McCracken of Arnold. She arrived at 11:10 a.m.and weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz.

1999—On Jan. 5, Michaela Viola Fecht was born to Jeff Fecht and Jennifer Fecht. She arrived at 4:20 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 1/2 ounce.

1998—On Jan. 11, Nathan Leroy Doudney was born to Melissa Anne Doudney of Gothenburg. He arrived at 6:34 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz.

1997—On. Jan. 1, Shelby Rae Loostrom was born to Perry and Kris Loostrom of rural Gothenburg. She arrived at 7:04 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz.

1996—On Jan. 1, Aryn Elizabeth Meisinger was born to Dan and Mary Meisinger of Gothenburg. She arrived at 1:45 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs.

1995—On Jan. 10, Aubrey Mae Brush was born to Kristine Brush of Cozad. She arrived at 7:50 a.m. and weighed 4 lbs. 14 oz.

1994—On Jan. 3, Misty Dawn Roberts was born to Pam Roberts of Gothenburg. She arrived at 4:10 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz.

1993—On Jan. 1, Amanda Rose Lunkwitz was born to Gary and Becky Lunkwitz of Tryon. She arrived at1:15 a.m. and weighed 6 lbs. 2 1/2 oz.

1992—On Jan. 7, Michael Dale Carlson was born to Mike and Rose Carlson temporarily of Gothenburg. He arrived at 10:43 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz.

1991—On Jan. 3, Marie Louise Fisher was born to Darrel and Linda Fisher of Moorefield. She arrived at 8:25 a.m. and weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz.

1990—On Jan. 13, Trevor Jon Tetley was born to Greg and Shelly Tetley of Cozad. He arrived at 1:05 p.m. and weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz.

1989—On Jan. 3, Jennifer Rose Borer was born to Steve and Helen Borer of Brady. She arrived at 9:02 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz.

1988—On Jan. 4, Stacy Rae Thompsen was born to Kirt and LaRae Thompsen of Gothenburg. She arrived at 1:18 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz.

1987—On Jan. 1, Anna Elise Ibach was born to George and Susan Ibach of Gothenburg. She arrived at 7:20 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz.

1986—On Jan. 2, Andrew Steven Block was born to Tim and Cindy Block of Gothenburg. He arrived at 8:32 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz.

1985—On Jan. 16, Abagail Marguerite Karre was born to Tom and LaDonna Karre of Gothenburg. She arrived at 9:21 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz.

1984—On Jan. 4, Luke Levi Buesing was born to Mike and Jeanne Buesing of Gothenburg. He arrived at 11:05 a.m. and weighed 9 lbs. 5 oz.

1983—On Jan. 4, Michaela Elaine Fredrickson was born to Mike and Traci Fredrickson of Gothenburg. She arrived at 10:46 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz.

1982—On Jan. 7, Jeremiah Michael Welch was born to Patrick and Karen Welch of Farnam. He arrived at 1:45 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz.

1981—On Jan. 2, Radley Stephen Breuer was born to Stephen and Jeane Breuer of rural Gothenburg. He arrived at 11:35 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 8 1/2 oz.

1980—On Jan. 1, Melissa Marie Peklo was born to Everett and Cindy Peklo of Gothenburg. She arrived at 8:25 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz.

1979—On Jan. 2, Derek R. Kotschwar was born to Rick and Gwen Kotschwar of Farnam. He arrived at 2:32 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz.

1978—On Jan. 3, Michele Lynn Davis was born to Gary and Brenda Davis of Farnam. She arrived at 6:45 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz.

1977—On Jan. 11, Austin Ira Swendener was born to Rodney and Marn Swendener of Gothenburg. He weighed 10 lbs. 1/4 oz.

1976—On Jan. 5, Jennifer Leigh Sitorius was born to Doug and Jeanne Sitorius of Gothenburg. She arrived at 4:43 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs.

1975—On Jan. 10, Greg Allen Maurer was born to Richard and Carol Maurer of Gothenburg. He arrived at 8:21 a.m.

1974—On Jan. 11 Cody Jay Hecox was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Hecox of Gothenburg. He arrived at 1:09 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 12 1/4 oz.

1973—On Jan. 16, Daniel Michael Zerr was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Zerr of Lexington.

1972—On Jan. 28, Jeffrey Lynn Kottwitz was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Kottwitz of Gothenburg. He arrived at 5:12 p.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz.

1971—On Jan. 9, LaRita Olive Payne was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Payne of Overton. She arrived at 1:52 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 9 1/2 oz.

1970—On Jan. 1, Matthew Shawn Wood was born to Paul and Zonia Gail Wood of Cozad. He arrived at 11:45 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 4 1/2 oz.