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Once upon a time the first Sehnert's Bakery was born in the land of Erfurt, Germany. The year was 1521. Through
the centuries, Sehnert’s Bakeries have thrived by meeting the needs and demands of their customers and by keeping pace
with the changing habits and lifestyles of society. Richard Sehnert sailed the seas from Europe to the new land of the United
States. In 1897, Richard and wife Anna marked the start of the Sehnert quality in the United States with the opening of their
bakery in Presho, South Dakota. Their youngest son, Walter M., moved to Plainview, Nebraska and founded his bakery in 1930.
Walter M. and wife Lenita proudly ran a thriving wholesale business with their retail bakery. Walter’s brothers, Dick
and Rudy, had bakeries in Kearney and Holdrege while brother Otto located his bakery in Ellendale, South Dakota, and sister,
Louise, and husband Carl Garnos, operated the original bakery in Presho. The next generation continued the spread of Sehnert’s
tradition when in 1957, Walt E. (Walter M.’s son) and wife Jean moved to McCook and purchased the Harvest Bakery. Taking
on a new name - Sehnert’s Bakery, the long standing tradition for high quality bakery products made its way to McCook.
During the late 50’s, with the rise of donut companies, Walt adjusted business by downscaling the wholesale business
and enlarging the retail business with the start of bakery diversification such as catering and a coffee shop. In 1991, the
fourth American generation Sehnert baker, Matt, began his professional career in McCook. Matt and wife Shelly once again met
the challenges of customers needs along with competitive entities forcing them to redirect their bakery’s future. After
painful contemplation, it was decided that fundamental changes must be made that would defy what father and grandfather had
done. Even though the risk would be great, adaptations and new direction must be forged to allow the traditions to continue
in this enchanted land of Southwest Nebraska. Customers no longer demanded only eating bakery products to sustain life, they
wanted more. The new direction that the bakery business was to travel needed to encompass giving people a fantastic experience
in our rural community -consistent and delicious foods, serviced efficiently while enjoying an unique eating experience; a
bit of nostalgia in a progressive atmosphere. With the dawn of the new millennium on this wonderland, Sehnert’s Bakery
has focused on providing an experience that helps their customers “enjoy life along the way”. With the creation
of the Bieroc Cafe and the added gourmet sandwich menu, the bakery strives to give people that fun experience while fulfilling
one of their most basic daily needs. Bakery customers can rest assured that the long standing tastes of Sehnert’s plus
worry-free service will provide an experience that will meet all their expectations. The fairy tale of Sehnert’s Bakery
has not always been a smooth road. The challenges to create and surpass the expectations of our customers has demanded and
redirected the generations through the years. During our days of work and toil, being part of a tradition that stands only
for excellence has been rewarding for each generation of Sehnert’s and their employees. The Sehnert family feels blest
to have been given the hands to knead and the hearts to hear. May all who have been and still are part of the tradition live
happily ever after in Sehnert’s Bakery wonderland. The Journey continues! -author, a Sehnert
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