Drew Dennis Dearmont, 26

Drew Dennis Dearmont, of Burwell, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on September 19, 2026, due to carbon monoxide poisoning while hunting in Idaho at the young age of 26.

Drew was born on April 28, 2000, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Peggy Dearmont. Drew spent his early years in Wisner; he was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Burwell and later confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Wisner.

His childhood was marked by the love of family and the adventure of discovering his passion for horses. At just 11, Drew found a horse that was living in a chicken house. With the help of his mom, Grandpa Dennis, and Uncle Elton, Drew purchased the horse for $50 and named it Lightning. Lightning made his home on the ranch, north of Burwell. He was very proud of him and would let everyone know, “Lightning may not be a big horse, but he can outpull most horses bigger than him.” He was offered a lot of money for Lightning but never wanted to sell him. Lightning was passed on to cousin, John, who is now letting his sister, Hannah ride him.

After the tragic loss of his mother in 2014, due to a car accident, Drew moved to the ranch, north of Burwell to live with his grandparents, Dennis and Bessie Dearmont. While in high school, he was active in 4-H (you can bet that Drew showed Lightning), FFA, and the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association, along with playing football and wrestling. Drew graduated from Burwell High School in 2018, then pursued ranch and farm management at Northeast Community College in Norfolk and went on to hone his skills at a horseshoeing school at the Terry Bison Ranch Wyoming where he enjoyed eating Buffalo every day.

Drew loved the “cowboy way” and worked on big ranches in Oregon, California, Nevada, and Washington State. He formed strong ties and held a special bond with the local ranchers and the communities.

In 2023, Drew returned to Burwell to assist his grandparents, Dennis and Bessie with the ranch work. He spent time working at local sale barns and ranches, shoeing horses for Buck Moon and breaking horses. During this time, Drew met the woman of his dreams, Allie Knapp.

Drew was a true cowboy with his “hat line” on the forehead and calloused hands. He was a talented Horseman, with a deep understanding of horses and experience of training or finishing young horses. He was knowledgeable of cattle and living the cowboy life of doctoring, branding, roping and rodeoing. He was raised with true grit and resilience and formed strong ties with local ranching communities, including many ranches in Nevada and California. He was well known for his bronc riding, horse training and local rodeos. Drew was proud that he got to ride a wild horse with Grandpa Dennis.

Drew is survived by his girlfriend, Allie Knapp of Ord; his grandparents, Dennis and Bessie Dearmont of Burwell; aunts and uncles, Jack and Kay Reineke of Bartlett, Elton and Jamie Dearmont of Burwell and Scott and Denise DeCoste of Big Springs; cousins, Tristan, Holt, Rylee, Logan, John, Hannah and Tinley; four little second cousins, Weston, Newt, Sam and Jake; many loving family and friends and his dog, Blue.