Hastings Alumni Obituaries 2019
- Herbert D. Theesen, a 1955 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 31, 2019. Herbert served in the Army Reserves and was a mechanic for 60 years.
- Bridget F. Cleveland, a 1985 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 3, 2020. She was member of People First.
- Marilyn (Lofing) Kelley, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 3, 2020. She worked for Herberger’s department store for almost 20 years.
- Barton D. Urbauer, a 1955 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 31, 2019. Barton graduated with his M.D. in 1962 from the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha and Joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a First Lieutenant medical Officer.
- Cindy L. (Headley) Leach, a 1968 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 3, 2020. She worked as a health care aide at Good Samaritan Village and then working with special needs children at Hastings Regional Center.
- Julia Foote Mleczko, a 1981 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 13, 2020. She attended Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha graduating in 1985.
- Linda K. Niederhaus, a 1966 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 11, 2020. She taught 28 years for the Hastings Public Schools retiring in 2005.
- Steven F Regan, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 14, 2019. He was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for his track skills.
- Kenneth E. Uden, a 1944 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 26, 2019. Kenneth served in the U.S Navy from 1944 and 1946 and worked as President and General Manager for Credit Bureau of Hastings for 47 years.
- Robert C. Louden, a Hastings High graduate passed away on December 26, 2019. Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War and had his own body shop, worked at Hastings Motor Truck, Crete Carrier, and Hastings Irritation.
- Zelma A. (Gruis) Fobben, a 1946 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 27, 2019. She worked for the telephone company and her husband’s business as bookkeeper.
- Andrea L. Troudt, a 1991 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 29, 2019. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.
- Richard W. Weber, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 4, 2019. He was the first Peace Corps volunteer from central Nebraska in which he served in Cameroon, West Africa from 1962-64 . He served on the staff of Governor William L. Guy in North Dakota. He was a member of many boards and served as a lobbyist for both mental health and the arts.
- Terri S. (Lampman) Rundle, a 1968 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 12, 2019. She worked as an RN for Hastings Family Practice retiring in 2010. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
- Linda (Stocks) Schafer, a 1967 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 11, 2019. She taught special education classed in Madison, Nebraska, Guam, and Ord, Nebraska for 22 years. She was a special education consultant. After retiring, she was a substitute teacher.
- Patricia L. (Huffman) Sanford, a 1952 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 2, 2019. She was appointed as the first female associate judge of the Hall County Court and she worked at various law firms until 1991.
- Carol J. Reiners, a 1959 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 30 2019. She worked as a teacher and educator until she retired in 2005. She received an Excellence in Education Awards for the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
- Wanga M. (Hockaday) Wolf, 1945 Hastings High graduate passed away on December 1, 2019. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, played violin in the Sunday School orchestra and a member of the church bell choir for 22 years.
- Frank J. Davis III, a 1966 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 30, 2019. He served in the U.S. Airforce and the National Guard. He owned and trained race horses and drove trucks for several companies.
- Burdette R. Brown, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 20, 2019. He served in the United States Army Reserve and owned B. R. Brown Sales. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church and a member of TPA Insurance.
- Lloyd H. Ellis Jr., a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 17, 2019. Lloyd was a Infantry Officer Candidate and a tank platoon leader at Fort Bragg. He became a foreign Service Officer and an Intelligence Analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He was also appointed the first Director of the Emergency Service at University Hospitals and the first Medical Director of the Cleveland Emergency Medical Service, Fire Department and Paramedic Training Program at Cuyahoga Community College.
- Karen I. (Fuller) Stevens, a 1962 Hastings High graduate passed away on November 9, 2019. She worked for Metz Bakery and Bruckman Rubber, from where she retired. She volunteered at the Golden Friendship Center and enjoyed bowling.
- Helen M. (Blum) Rothfuss, a 1947 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 30, 2019. After moving and working in Los Angeles California she married and moved back to Hastings and worked at the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company until retiring in 1984.
- Gale W. Wendt, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 27, 2019. He served in the National Guard and the U.S. Army. Gale was a mechanic at Sherman Service Center in Hastings, Harmon grain in Trumbull, owned his own mechanic shop in Trumbull, bus driver for Trumbull school and mechanic/shop foreman at Meat Animal Research Center until his retirement.
- Wendell L. Muehling, a 1975 Hastings High graduate passed away on October 18, 2019. He worked for the IRS in the collections department and enjoyed Husker football, reading, and watching movies.
- Melvin M. Marian, a 1938 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 17, 2019. He was in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving with the South Pacific Wing of Air Transport Command based in New Guinea and Okinawa. He was employed by Westland Building company, he co-organized Hastings Flyers, and was a charter member of the original Charter 544 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and First United Methodist Church.
- Wilma J. (Lofing) Kennedy, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 20, 2019. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and worked for the dime store downtown and Hesteds in Hastings.
- John P. Shea, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 12, 2019. He worked as the service manager for Big G Ace and delivers parts for Auto Value. He was an avid bowler and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
- Jean (Arnold) Koch, a 1940 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 8, 2019. She was employed in the office at the Dutton-Lainson factory and later worked with her husband, Don in his business, Don’s TV Sales and Service until retirement. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and past member of Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
- Lyle V. Myers, a 1963 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 2, 2019. He was and accomplished brick layer for Dick Looye Construction and Hastings Masonry and a volunteer fireman for 25 years in Hastings.
- LuAnn L. (Vannier) Bye, a 1962 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 4, 2019. She worked for the Hastings Tribune, Kansas Nebraska Gas, Hastings Welding and for State of Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Marvin C. Kent, a 1944 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 5, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for the Hastings Public Schools as plant engineer-electrician for 35 years.
- Thomas K. Chagnon, a 1968 Hastings High graduate passed away on September 5, 2019. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps retiring after 30 years then worked as a mechanic at Snows Car Clinic. He was a member of the Hastings Gun Club.
- Conrad F. Grothen, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 12, 2019. He was a teacher and a farmer. He was past president of American Corn Growers Association, school board of Wallace District #60 school and the church council at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hastings.
- Wanda J. ( Bosier) Koch, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 12, 2019. She was a longer time bartender and a cook at the Hastings Regional Center.
Lau’Rance D. Dollison, a 2000 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 18, 2019. He was an avid swimmer and diver in high school and college.
- Karen E (Birch) DeMoor, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 17, 2019. She volunteered for the American Red Cross and March of Dimes, an active member in the First Presbyterian Church and Nebraska state president for the Mrs. Jaycees in 1972.
- Gaylen D. Taylor, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 2, 2019. He was in the U.S. Navy for 28 years and retired from Harris Corporation of Bellevue Nebraska.
- Beverly A (Howland) Lightner, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 2, 2019. She was a string specialist playing the violin, cello, viola and piano and her life was centered around many musical groups.
- Troy A. Kyle, a 1986 Hastings High graduate passed away on August 6, 2019. He worked for Goodwill, was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and an avid bowler.
- Stephen H. Leeper, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 14, 2019. He worked for 37 years at the UNMC College of Dentistry and was the dean for the last 10 years. He also served as president of JDRF International and Omicron Kappa Upsilon.Janell J Watts, a 1971 Hastings High graduate passed away. She was known as the “Bird Lady” of the Monterey Zoo/Vision Quest in Salinas, California.
- David R. Fergus, a 1966 Hastings High graduate passed away on July 3, 2019. He was a Vietnam War veteran and served two tours earning several medals including the Purple Heart.
- Rosemarie (Fast) Farris, a 1943 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 23, 2019. She was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings, taught Sunday school, and was involved in women’s ministries and funeral Committee.
- Roger L. Fox, a 1975 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 4, 2019. He was a member of the Berean Bible Church and enjoyed playing tennis, disc golf, reading and watching sports.
- Timothy L. Obester, a 1986 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 30, 2019. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Desert Shield/Storm receiving many awards and medals. He was a former Boy Scout, past member of American Legion, and present member of Disabled American Veterans.
- Charles R. Yost, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on June 3, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph for 40 years. After retiring, he worked part time for the Nebraska State Historical Society for 15 years.
- Rick A. Reed, a 1972 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 25, 2019. He worked for Vontz Construction and enjoyed fishing, cooking and spending time with granddaughter.
- Tammy R. Hohensee, a 1990 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 30, 2019. She participated in Special Olympics and was currently involved the Alumni Group. She loved bowling and won recognition in various activities including the Special Olympic Hall of Fame.
- Donna Reiners Binfield, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 4, 2019. She loved to paint and create art and had her works displayed at the Governor’s Art Show, Nebraska Land Days and noted galleries throughout the state and in San Francisco.
- John H. Woodward, a 1954 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 15, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and partnered and operated Woodward’s Disposal retiring in 1997.
- Leland Wright, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 17, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy and was on the USS Duncan during the Korean War. He worked as a guard at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, owned Lee’s Conoco, drove a school bus and was a car salesman for Burge & Sons Motors.
- John C. Spencer, a 1946 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 19, 2019. He was a book-keeper for several businesses and was a member of the United Methodist Church at Doniphan.
Simon F. Smith, a 2015 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 16, 2019. He attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska and was in the lineman program. He was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
- Larry G. Spencer, a 1968 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 23, 2019. He was an elementary teacher for eleven years and owned and operated Midtowne Mart in Hastings. He was a member of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, the Gingerbread daycare board and account manager of Midwest Engine Services.
- Lori L. (Smith) Wilson, a 1972 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 12, 2019. She served as an attorney for Legal Aid of Nebraska and was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, Rotary International, American Association of University Women and Saline County Child Abuse/Neglect Network. She also served on many boards.
- Larry R. Rader, a 1958 Hastings High graduate passed away on May 26, 2019. He was in the family insurance agency for 59 years. He was the member of many groups and served on many boards, one being the Hastings Public Schools Foundation in which he was president. Larry had a deep passion for his high school class of 1958 and was very committed to the Class of 1958 Endowed Scholarship Fund.
- Marcia Guildner Pasquer, a1954 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 13, 2019, at her home in Boulder, CO.
She was a graduate of the University of CO in Boulder and received her PhD in French literature. She and her husband, Andre, founded the Denver International School. Marcia served as Music Director of the Unitarian Church for many years and continued playing the piano with an ensemble of local musicians.
- Barbara K (Kluver) Johnson, a 1967 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 29, 2019. She worked for Hastings Family Practice and then retired from Mary Lanning Healthcare.
- Barbara J (Kottwitz) Gartner, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 4, 2019. She at Transportation Equipment Company and was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
- Keith R Rolls, a 1956 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 2, 2019. He worked with New Holland and retired from Thermo King in 2000. He was a member of Rosedale United Methodist and Hall County Historical Society.
- Kenneth L Bohlen, a 1952 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 5, 2019. He was a lifelong farmer and belonged to many co-op boards. He served in the Army and served on the school board for 40 years and was on the Adams Central board.
- Kathryn R (Hegwood) Panker, a 1948 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 7, 2019. She was the owner of the Doniphan Tavern renamed Katy’s Old Town Saloon for 45 years.
- Ronald L Haubold, a 1967 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 6, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army and was in real estate investments.
- Rikki J Bruckman, a 1969 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 12, 2019. She Managed Great Plains Equestrian Center for 12 years has been a lifelong member of United States Dressage Federation. She served on the board of directors for Western New York Dressage Association and was an active member of the New York State Horse Council and Genesee Valley Riding and Driving Club.
- Leah L (Harrenstein) McCrady, a 1948 Hastings High graduate passed away on April 10, 2019. She worked for the milk association and Pittsburgh Plate Glass and Johnson Cashway Lumber Company and Hastings Building Company.
- Wilbur H Ocker, a 1953 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 28, 2019. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, was employed as a welder for Ingersoll Rand, farmed, drove a truck, and was a bricklayer.
- Mary Ann (Von Kampen) Steinkruger, a 1951 Hastings high graduate passed away on March 17, 2019. She worked as the office manager at Central Dental Group in Hastings for 50 years until her retirement. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church.
Jacquelin D (Scribner)Bramman, a 1966 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 21, 2019. She worked for Good Samaritan Village in Villa Hope, Kings Food Host and Imperial Mall.
- Michael C Maggart Jr., a 1999 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 16, 2019. He owned and operated his own construction business and attended North Shore Church.
- Joe R Dixon Sr., a 1954 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 2, 2019. He served in the Nebraska Army National Guard for 32 years and after was employed at Hastings Senior High and Whelan Energy Center.
- Richard A Becher, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 1, 2019. He served in the Air Force Reserves, had successful career in technology sales and worked with his family to support numerous philanthropic projects.
- Phyllis (Watts) Barrett, a 1965 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 9, 2019. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, animals and being outdoors.
- Jundine M (Webster) Steward, a 1957 Hastings High graduate passed away on March 9, 2019. She worked as a teacher and then at the YMCA as a volunteer coordinator.
- Sharren A. (Theesen) Speth, a 1961 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 17, 2019. She worked at Mode O Day as a seamstress; Ebko Boat Factory as manager of the upholstery department; Hastings Industries as a welder; and retired as Food Service Manager at Hastings Regional Center.
- Mark A Richardson, a 1978 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 24, 2019. He worked for Gottsch Feedlot, was a Schwan’s delivery man and was a propane route driver and gas attendant for Farmer’s Co-op.
- James J LaPorte, a 1959 Hastings High graduate passed away on February 24, 2019. He worked for Western Land Roller Company for 35 years.
- Julie A (Janssen) Vanderpool, a Hastings High graduate passed away on February 26, 2019. She worked for Mary Lanning for 40 years in Pediatrics and Outpatient Surgery.
- Cohleen E (Kuehn) Nienhueser, a 1951 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 14, 2019. She assisted in Sunday School, confirmation class, Vacation Bible School and preschool and also volunteered at the hospital and crocheted afghans for hospital patients.
- Gerald L Bond, a 1964 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 18, 2019. He served In the National Guard and taught in Petersburg and Lewellen and served as secondary principal in Polkmer, Franklin and Milford Nebraska.
- Tamra A (Allison) Hughes, a 1981 graduate passed away on January 24, 2019. She was a cook at the Homestead and enjoyed babysitting her grandsons.
- Joyce E. (Drohman) McCoy, a Hastings High graduate passed away on January 9, 2019. She taught at Zion Lutheran School and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and ARC.
- Ward J. Snow, a 1943 Hastings High graduate passed away on January 7, 2019. He farmed for many years and started the Tin tower Trader Antiques in Pauline after he retired from farming. He was a member of Pauline Methodist Church.
