Mayra Heeman, who owns the Western Nebraska Pioneers along with her husband, Chuck, went through some life-changing moments in 2018. She suffered a heart attack the night the Pioneers won the league title, and then she suffered another heart attack a couple weeks later. That was followed by a stroke in the hospital, which caused her to lose some vision in both of her eyes. Although Mayra still battles health issues related to the adversity she’s gone through, her focus is on staying positive, appreciating the good things in her life, and doing what she can to bring joy to others.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – The energy and excitement of fans at Oregon Trail Park Stadium in Gering was at an all-time high on Aug. 12, 2018, as the Western Nebraska Pioneers got ready to play the Badlands Big Sticks in the Expedition League championship game.
It had already been a thrilling season for the Pioneers, who were in their first year of competition, and adding a title in their inaugural year would make the season even more memorable.
Mayra Heeman, who owns the Pioneers along with her husband, Chuck Heeman, was at the stadium, of course, eager to cheer on Western Nebraska like the hundreds of other fans in attendance.
Her enthusiasm, though, was tamed a bit at the beginning of the game because of some severe pain she felt in her neck. It gradually got worse as she quickly moved around the stadium, helping at the concession stand, the gate, or wherever else she was needed. Her vision also got blurry, and she started to feel nauseous.
“I thought, ‘I just need to find a way to slow down, and then maybe that will help my pain go away,” she said.
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