Alumni Obituaries

The HPS Foundation has generated the following obituaries from the Hastings Tribune.  Click on the year for a list of alumni who passed away in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.  If you have an obituary that you would like shared, please .

• Deanna (Weidenkeller) Leonhardt, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away February 29, 2024.  She lived in Hastings several years with her daughter Kellie before moving to San Diego.  

• Harold W. Thaut MD, “Hal,”  a 1963 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 19, 2024. In 1974 Hal began his work as a family practice physician at the Beatrice Medical Center. As part of his 50-year career, Hal worked as the medical director for the Beatrice State Developmental Center and the Good Samaritan Society.  Hal worked for 10 years as a physician in the Emergency Department of Beatrice Community Hospital and retired in 2018. Hal served on the boards of the Beatrice Humane Society and the Beatrice Public Library. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder.

• Kevin Albert Sadd, a 1978 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 29, 2024.  He worked as a maintenance supervisor at the Imperial Mall.

• Michael W. Carl, a 1988 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 26, 2024.  He worked for the Omaha School System.

• Doris E (Enninga) Stromer, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 11, 2024. Doris enjoyed teaching, clerical work for many years, reading, studying, knitting, crocheting, and sports with Larry.

• Jean (Wahl) Haseloh, a 1960 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 8, 2024.  Jean enjoyed many things: baking, bowling, bingo, knitting, listening to country and polka music, putting puzzles together and most of all making cards on the computer.

• Steven R Schmidt, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 17, 2024.  Steven served in the U.S. Marines Corps and Nebraska National Guard.  He was a teacher for the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility.

• Andrew M Sidlo, a 1996 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 17, 2024.  Andy worked as a mold maker in tool shops in Alda, Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings and ended his career in a position where he found a true passion for helping others as a 3D project engineer for Innovative Prosthetics and Shabri, a company located in Hastings.

• Wayne I Hueske, a 1950 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 4, 2024. He served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 as a Sergeant 1st Class in the 5th Armored Division and  was part of Nebraska’s honor flights of the Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. to tour their memorials. After serving in the Korean War, he worked for Dutton-Lainson and Layne & Bowler Pump Co. before his career of 39 years as an electrician.

• Mark A Reiner, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 10, 2024.  Mark owned and operated Reiner Tax & Accounting from 1978 until his retirement in 2020.

• Paul R Kothe, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 12, 2024.  He served in the Army National Guard Reserve from 1957 to 1964. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad. Paul also owned and operated Kothe Construction and Kothe Trucking LLC until he retired in 2004.

• LeeAnne (Blunt) Maul, a 1967 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 9, 2024.  LeeAnne was a stay-at-home mom prior to becoming a seamstress for Mode O’Day. LeeAnne also taught preschool at Pooh Corner, later becoming a pharmacy tech for WalMart.

• Robert G Tharp, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 21, 2024.  Bob was an auto parts salesman for Sidles & Auto Value for 42 years.

• Marlyn (Wallace) Coleman, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 17, 2024. Marlyn worked as a travel agent and became a world traveler herself. She particularly favored the Orient.  Mar was a master seamstress and especially enjoyed designing and sewing her daughter’s wedding gown.

• Patricia L Mace, a 1972 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 11, 2024.  She worked at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital for 41 years and also did home care for elderly for many years in their homes.

• David J Stewart, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 30, 2024.  He served in the United States Air Force and owned and operated Stewart Plumbing.

• Sandra (Kerr) Carlson, a 1962 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 20, 2024.  She was a special education teacher for ESU9 and Morton Elementary.