Homer and Dakota County, Nebraska

Eric is a 5th-generation resident of Dakota County and has lived there his entire life. In 1883, his great-great-grandfather, Lars Sorensen, came to Dakota County from Denmark and settled on the farm west of Homer, which Eric has farmed his entire life.  Eric graduated from Homer High School and went directly into farming.  His father also graduated from Homer High School, as did both of Eric’s children.  Eric belongs to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Homer and serves as the sexton of Green Valley Cemetery in rural Dakota County.  Eric says that many pioneer settlers have taken up "permanent residency" in the Green Valley Cemetery.  Eric is an amateur historian and has a lifelong interest in the history of the Village of Homer and Dakota County.  He has talked to many old settlers and written down their stories.  He has also collected many historic artifacts from Dakota County, which he loves to share with others.  Eric was the lead historian during Homer’s 150-year celebration in 2025.