Obituary Lela Ann Hassler

Lela Ann (Becker) Hassler passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Tekamah, Neb.  She was born to Herbert John Becker and Gertrude (Hogan) Becker on Sept. 22, 1931, in Exeter, Neb. She was the second of four children.

Lela Ann attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School and graduated from Exeter High School in 1949. She worked part-time at Barkmeier’s grocery store in Exeter. She married Joseph Forbes Hassler on Jan. 19, 1952, and to them seven children were born. Together they farmed north of Exeter until Joseph’s death in 1986. 

Lela Ann was an outstanding cook (her fried chicken and brownies were legendary) and a skilled bridge player. In addition to cooking and playing cards, she loved to crochet, garden and dance. But her biggest love was her family, to whom she was greatly devoted. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, and later, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tekamah, where she moved in 2006.

Lela Ann was preceded in death by her husband; son Neil, infant son Michael and infant daughter Mary Beth; her parents; and sister Janet (Becker) Grote and infant sister Ellen Jean.

She is survived by daughter Leslye (Gordon) Bryant of Tekamah; sons Paul (Michelle) of Lincoln, Bruce (Karen) of Unadilla and Darin (Janna) of Lincoln;  grandchildren Crystal (Craig) Mencke, Hannah Hassler, Neil Hassler, Chip Bryant, Caitlin Hassler and Kayla Hassler, all of Lincoln, Joseph (Erin) Hassler of Omaha and Jessica (Nick) Mathistad of Alta, Iowa; great-grandchildren Delaney Mencke of Lincoln, Chase Mathistad of Alta, Iowa,  Leo Hassler of Omaha; sister Peggy (Mac) McKitterick of Lincoln; and brothers-in-law Gerald Grote and Jim Hassler, both of Lincoln. 

Rosary: 10 a.m., Feb. 8, St. Stephen’s Church, Exeter. Services: 11 a.m., Feb. 8, St. Stephen’s Church, Exeter, Nebraska. Memorials to the St. Stephen’s Church Building Fund.

The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thank you for the loving care and kindness Leslye Bryant provided during the time Lela Ann lived in Tekamah, especially the past year when Lela Ann was confined to the Golden Living Center there.