Hastings Alumni Obituaries 2017

Gene E Wilson, a 1950 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 31, 2017.  Gene served in the U.S. Air Force and was a licensed professional engineer in the State of California and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Douglas J Swanson, a 1974 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 28, 2017. He was a graduate of the University of Colorado and director of engineering at Valmont.

Shirley J Gilbert Palmer, a 1954 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 4, 2107.  She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist church where she taught Sunday School.  She was a Girl Scout leader, on a bowling league and a member of a quilt group.

Dora M Katzberg Hermann, a 1943 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 5, 2017. She was a lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church, Ladies Guild and Ladies Altar Guild. She was a homemaker and housewife. 

Lois M Crandell Slade, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 6, 2017.  She worked as a laborer at Tri-Ad Products, retiring in 2012.

Betty L Bierman Yeager, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 10, 2017.  She was a bookkeeper for Hastings Casket Company, H&M Equipment and the Hastings Airport authority.

Ronald E Kyle, a 1989 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 11, 2017. He owned his own construction business specializing in garage doors and enjoyed classic cars and playing pool.

Tiffany T Herberg Jisa, a 1980 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 2, 2017. She worked as a secretary for Mary Lanning Healthcare in the cardiopulmonary department and as a legal secretary for Helmann and Sullivan for 20 years

Robert W Johnson, a 1963 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 28, 2017.  He served in the U.S. Air National Guard and worked as an auto body man and painter at U.S.  Meat Animal Research Enter.  

David A Hubby, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 31, 2017.  He served In the U.S. Navy during Vietnam and owned his own construction company, Hubby Framing.

Gloria J (Gordon) Green, a 1964 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 8, 2017.  She was an in-home child care provider and foster parent and a member of the Hordville Baptist Church.

Jerald Clyde Fergus, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 14, 2017.  He was employed as a cook for Hastings Regional Center for 25 years.

Cole C Wicks, a 1971 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 19, 2017.  He was employed as T-L Irrigation for 20 years and Eaton Corporation for 10 years.  He also was a truck driver for Mary Uden and a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral.

Ronald E Hoagland, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 20, 2017.  He owned and operated Heritage Construction, worked for Consolidated Concrete, was employed by Mary Lanning Hospital as the engineering manager and drove a truck for Roger Wilson Inc.

Kathryn J McCauley Immel, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 23, 2017.  She worked at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hesteds, Brach Thompson, and the Hastings Regional Center.

Charlotte M Whiting Kuhlman, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 22, 2017.  She was a homemaker farmed southeast of Campbell Nebraska.

DeWayne L Curtis, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 26, 2017.  He worked as a police officer in Hastings and Deputy Sheriff for Adams County Sheriff's office.  He owned Valentino's Pizza in Columbus, Grand Island, Colorado and Hastings.

Robert L McFerren, a 1977 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 25, 2017.  He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church.

Kyle A Stromer, a 2011 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 27, 2017. He graduated from Hastings College in 2016 with a degree in psychology, was an avid baseball player and a member of Psi Theta Epsilon fraternity at Hastings College.

Joseph E Swift, a 1955 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 13, 2017. He owned his own business for 40 years enjoying football and "Short Term Investments. He also owned race horses.

David J Walker, a 1971 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 15, 2017. He worked for Whalen Energy center for 23 years before retiring.

Phyllis P Hartman, a 1949 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 16, 2017. She worked as a therapist for Hastings Regional Center where she later retired. She was a member of the First St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Marguerite E Jensen, a 1938 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 17, 2017. She Worked for First National Bank and Hastings Seed & Supply, retiring in 1982. She was an active participant in Hastings Respite Care and South Central Town Hall Caregivers Coalition.

LaVergne I Fink Oelschlager, a Hastings High graduate passed away on October 19, 2017. She graduated from United Airlines Flight Attendant School and worked at the Hasting Ammunition Depot as a typesetter.

Kenneth W Meester, a 1952 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 24, 2017. He was in the US Navy and served from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He was the lead singer in The Western Wanders and in 2007 was inducted into the Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame.

Keith Classen, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 29, 2017. He served In the Army Reserves and farmed for many years.  He served on the Blue Hill School Board, St Paul’s Lutheran Church Council, Nebraska Pork Producer’s, and Nebraska Quarter Horse Association.

Robert A. Heyen, a 1952 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 26, 2017.  He was an "avid car buff", and the CEO of Heyen Enterprises.

Dale R Van Lengen, a 1950 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 1, 2017.  He served in the Army during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  He was a member of the Hastings American Legion, the VFW of Hastings and the Teamsters.

John J 'Jack' Friend, a 1946 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 7, 2017.  He went to war for his country twice, World War II and the Korean War and fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.  He also became the largest NAPA dealer between Omaha and Denver.

Virginia Burns Yager, a 1945 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 6, 2017.  She worked for the KMart Corporation for over 65 years and retired at 82.  She helped launch the Socks for Kids program which supports over 500 children and has raised over 1 million dollars.

Jose G 'Joey' Hansen, a 2016 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 11, 2017.

Harold E 'Gene" McCoy, a 1947 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 26, 2017.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-49 and the U.S. Naval Reserves for additional 6 years.  He worked for the Naval Ammunition Depot, Dutton Lainson, ABC Electric, Delta Electric and was the electrical inspector for the City of Hastings for 20 years.

Steven A Bennett, a 1973 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 27, 2017.  He was employed by Eaton Corporation for 33 years and retired in 2009.  He was an avid outdoorsman and very active in Boy Scouts.

Otis C Johnson III, a 1960 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 24, 2017.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and enjoyed the outdoors.

Fredrick A Kreinheder, a 1939 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 31, 2017.  He served in the US Navy from 1942-45 and he worked for the federal government as a detective from 1948-1972 in Washington DC.

Marjorie A. 'Marji' Marr Prettyman, a 1959 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 4, 2017.  She worked at the Hastings Public Library for 24 years and loved story telling with puppets.

Robert D 'Bob' Ramsey, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 21, 2017.  He was a bus driver at HPs, a CDL instructor at Central Community College and worked for Beeline Motor Freight.  He was well known for his Santa's Fantasy Land for 1974 to 2000.

Esther A (Kort)Reiber, a 1937 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 27, 2017.  Her and her husband owned a Snak Shak Drive In in Ft. Worth TX and built the Shady Lane Motel in Kearney NE.  They also owned a lumber company, gas station, The Royal Home Company and  were co-owners of the Holiday Inn, Shakey's Pizza Parlor and Big Apple Bowling Alley.

Mary K Lantz, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 27, 2017.  Mary was active in her church and for a time was a member of the Hastings Housing Authority Board. 

Ada 'Iris' (Daugherty) Nunley, a 1940 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 6, 2017. She worked for the Hastings Muesum painting backgrounds for habitat groups over the years and also the State Museum and the Natural History Museum in Lincoln. She opened the Plum Nelly and was a founding member of the Prairie Fibers Guild, member of the Outlook Book Club and the League of Women Voters.

Beverly A. (Pickinpaugh) Eckhardt, a 1959 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 6, 2017. She was a custodial manager for the Hilton Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada and retired from Walmart in Hastings.

Randy Fowler, a 1974 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 10, 2017. He worked in construction/carpentry throughout his life.

Roland E.'Rollie' Wiklund, a 1971 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 17, 2017. He was a U. S. Navy veteran and worked for the U.S. Post Office for 25 years as a letter carrier.

Charles H. 'Chuck' Evans, a 1953 Hastings High graduated passed away on July 18, 2017. He was a longtime College teacher and professor of political science at Hastings College. He was on many councils and board.

Calvin Bentz, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 4, 2017. He was captain of the HHS swim team and also the UNL swim team in 1955. He started coaching the Cornhusker swim team in 1978 retiring in 2008.

Kathleen 'Kathi' DeRiese Gruidel, a 1987 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 25, 2017. She was a lifelong resident of Hastings and married Chris Gruidel in 1995.

Kenneth J. Kimminau, a 1980 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 22, 2017. He graduated from Central Community College with a degree in automotive.

Ann-Marie (Ohlin) Carlson, HHS Class of 1950, died in Phoenix, AZ on May 5, 2016. She worked for Valley National Bank for 36 years and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church for 61 years where she sang in the choir and for weddings and funerals for 40 years. She was also a dedicated volunteer for the Food Closet at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix for many years.

Randal C 'Randy' Reed, a 1978 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 7, 2017.  He worked for Kully Pipe and Steel and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Hastings. 

Patricia Griffith, a 1966 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 13, 2017.  She worked for LTT for 31 years until her retirement and was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Jeffrey T. Dreesen, a 1982 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 2, 2017.  He was a paralegal with Wells, Pinckney and McHugh law Firm and then a senior director of technology for Spurs Sports and Entertainment.

Adeline V. 'Dieken' Ballou, a 1944 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 23, 2017.  She was a register nurse.

Michael D. Watson, a 1987 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 25, 2017.  He worked in telemarketing.

Diana L. Dickerson, a 1970 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 29, 2017. She worked at Mary Lanning Healthcare and retired after 35 years. She was a member of St Cecilia's Catholic Church, Altar Society, and BPO DOES #112.

Dolores J. 'Dee' Marquardt, a 1946 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 28, 2017. She loved bingo, volunteered at Grace United Methodis Church and served as a mentor, sponsor and mother-figure to members of the Daylight Group of AA.

Wilson J. Trupp, a 1933 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 30, 2017. He was employed by Sidles Company in Omaha and a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, the Optimist Club, and Omaha Field Club.

Richard K. 'Dick' Baugher, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 7, 2017. He passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ora 'Aleen' Chapman McCoy, a Hastings High graduate passed away on May 16, 2017. She was a nurse's aide and a psychiatric technician. She taught Sunday school, was a member of PTA, and was actively involved with the Nebraska Visually Impaired.

Robert D. 'Bob' Laux, 1940 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 19, 2017. He was In the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 and farmed in the Hastings area till his retirement.

Donald D. Duncan Jr., a 1944 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 5, 2017. He served in the US Navy and worked for the Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Co. where he retired from after 43 years.

Harry H. Thaut, a 1941 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 24, 2017. He served in the U.S. Air force for 10 years and was a employed with the Hastings Casket company for 38 years.

Brenda Kay Keeler, a 1982 Hastings High graduate, passed away on March 31, 2017. She worked for Marshalltown Instruments, The Rose Medical Center and Nebraska Heart Institute.

Dixie R. Monie, a 1960 Hastings High Graduate, passed away on April 11, 2017. She spent many years as a community living instructor at Southwest Area Training Services - McCook, Nebraska, and for Mid-Nebraska Individual Services in Hastings.

Jerry Lee Yeager, a 1950 Hastings High Graduate, passed away on April 22, 2017. He was a Colonel in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot where he flew 206 combat missions and he played football at the University of Nebraska from 1950-53.

Sharon J. (Sowers) Stiegemeier, a 1960 Hastings High Graduate, passed away on April 24, 2017. She was a bookkeeper with Sherman Service Center in Hastings until 1970.

Wyona R. Enninga, a 1963 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 3, 2017.  She worked at the Hastings Regional Center and at Musicland. She was a member of St Paul's Lutheran Church in Kenesaw.

John Hock Jr., a 1984 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 9, 2017.  He was in the U.S. Army and worked for Culligan Water and US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. 

Galen E. 'Gene' Nelson, a 1947 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 4, 2017.  He worked for Jack and Jill in Hastings then Furr's Safeway in Denver, CO. and then he moved back to Wilcox NE and purchased Wilcox IGA.

Eldon W. Bassett, a Hastings High graduate passed away on March 8, 2017.  He served In the U.S. Navy, became manager of Guarantee Electric and was a member of St. Michael's Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and V.F.W..

Donna J. (Richards) Semm, a 1950 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 3, 2017.  She was a volunteer with the Kingman Regional Medical Center, Mornings Glories and loved music and art.

Duane W. Mills, a 1952 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 14, 2017.  He managed Big G Tire Shop for 32 years and enjoyed yard work and woodworking.  He and his wife enjoyed square dancing for 20 years. 

Donna Schwabauer Kelly, a 1950 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 19, 2017.  She was a RN caring for patients in Twin Falls ID, Smithville MO, North Kansas City, MO and Liberty, MO.  She knitted, crocheted and counted-cross stitch as well as loved sports especially Huskers, KC Royals and KC Chiefs.

Russell R. 'Russ' Felzien, a 1976 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 24, 2017.  He was a man of the land, a lifelong farmer.  He had a passion for Nebraska history and Coca-Cola collectables. 

Jason T. 'Jay' Hamburger, a 1977 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 24, 2017.  He found the site of a mammoth eroding out the banks at Medicine Creek Dam and the site was named Hamburger Mammoth in his honor.  He worked for Carmichael Construction for 40 years.  

Patricia L. Tatro, a 1958 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 2, 2017.  In 1986 she married Lloyd Tatro of Bennett Colorado.

Ronald E. Uden, 1965 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 6, 2017.  Ron served in the National Guard from 1966 to 1972.  He worked with Westland Modular Homes, was self-employed, and worked for Dana Corporation of Hastings till they closed.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting. 

Gladys L. Wicht, a 1940 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 8, 2017.  She was a full-time wife and mother and enjoyed music, writing, learning to write and speak German and learning sign language.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Platt-Duetsche Ladies Society.

Milford L. 'Mel' Auker, a Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 14, 2017.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, worked for Allen's, O.P. Skaggs and was a chemical worker for Farmland Industries. 

Donald L. Wolf, a 1944 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 15, 2017.  He serviced in the Navy and worked for the Hastings Tribune until he retired in 1989.  He was a member of Mid-West Lodge #317, Scottish Rite, and Tehama Shrine. 

Earl C. Otto, a 1968 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 11, 2107.  He worked for the city of Colorado Springs Fleet Services and enjoyed the mountains.

Creighton L. Hamburger, a 1979 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 20, 2017.  He worked for the City of Hastings Park and Rec at the Smith Softball Complex, was active in coaching kids’ soccer teams and was a car enthusiast.

Jay M. Uland, a 1972 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 13, 2017.  He graduated from Kearney State College in journalism.

Carol (Daugherty) DeFrain, a 1959 Hastings High graduate, passed away on February 21, 2017.  She worked in Federal Civil Service at various locations and retired as a GS 11, F-16 (aircraft) competition manager.  

Judy L. Stutesman, a 1963 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 1, 2017. She was employed at Hastings Regional Center for 43 years. She enjoyed camping, gardening and her grandchildren.

LaDonna L. Hohlfeld, a Hastings High graduate passed away on January 2, 2017. She was a homemaker, operated Hohlfeld Employment and was a member of Hastings Area Chamber of commerce.

Donna L. Klein, a 1982 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 11, 2017. Donna worked for Thermo King for 20 years and was a member of Evangelical Free Church in Hastings.

Harlan F. Marquardt, a 1943 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 14, 2017. Harlan was stationed in Hawaii when World War II ended. He farmed locally for many years, was a master welder and maintenance expert.

Sheila Smith, a 1955 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 19, 2017. She taught at Hastings Middle School for 30 years and was a member of First United Methodist Church, League of Women Voters, bridge club, United Methodist Women, and several teachers' organizations.