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. 

Odego Leadership Class

The picture was taken at Exeter Care Center.

L-R, Amber Taylor, Melanie Schlueter, Lucas Swartzendruber and Conley Kennel.

LEADERSHIP CLASS ATTENDS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SESSION

FILLMORE COUNTY - The Odegeo…Leadership for Fillmore County class held their Health and Human Services session beginning at the Fillmore County Hospital on January 15, 2013.

   Brandy VanDeWalle, UNL Extension educator, started the day with a lesson on “Change”.

   Paul Utemark gave an overview of the new hospital. Lisa Hopken, Director of Nursing of the Fillmore County Hospital, took the group on a tour of the new hospital. She informed the group about the placements of the areas in the new facility & talked about several new programs that will serve the people of Fillmore County.

After enjoying a treat provided by Jill’s Sweet Shop, Jill Schmidt spoke on the Good Beginnings Program in Fillmore County. The next speaker was Rod Renken who spoke about the Geneva Rescue Unit and the training it takes to become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and how other rescue squads throughout Fillmore County work together. 

   Brenda Motis, Program Director of the Fillmore County Senior Services, was the next speaker to the class in the morning informed the group about the services for seniors available in Fillmore County. Gerri Merck, counselor gave information about Senior Behavioral Health services that are available through the Fillmore County hospital.

            Jenni Hoarty, a personal fitness trainer, talked to the class about the fitness program the hospital offers to its employees.   Ms. Hoarty also talked about the Fillmore County Wellness Center.  The Wellness Center is a non-profit organization and is run by a committee of 11 volunteers.  The center opened in March of 2012 and currently there are over 310 active members.

    The class participants ate lunch at the hospital cafeteria, which was provided by the Fillmore County Hospital, before they began their afternoon tours.

        The class traveled to the Exeter Care Center in Exeter where Melanie Schlueter, Administrator, showed the group the facility and levels of care they offer their residents.

    The group then visited to the Fairview Manor in Fairmont where Tami Scheil, Administrator, took the class on a tour of the facility.  Fairview Manor offers nursing home care, assisted living and a daycare.  

    Next the group traveled to Heritage Crossings in Geneva where they enjoyed a snack, compliments of Heritage Crossings. Peg Becker, Administrator, then gave the class an overview and tour of the facility.

    The last stop of the day was at Farmer & Son Funeral Home. Pastor Jeff Jensen, a member of the Fillmore Ministerial Association, spoke to the group concerning the activities the Ministerial Group does in the county and for those traveling through the County.

       Shawn Farmer of Farmer & Son Funeral Home told the group he is the fourth generation to be in the funeral home business.  He told briefly about the history of Farmer & Son Funeral Home, answered questions asked by the class members and gave the group a tour of the facility.

    The February session of the Odegeo. . . Leadership for Fillmore County will take the class to Lincoln to learn about state government and the unicameral system.

    Persons interested in learning more about Odegeo…Leadership for Fillmore County may contact the Fillmore County Development Corporation at 759-4910 or email lentfer.fcdc@genevamail.com or go to www.fillmorecountydevelopment.org.

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Exeter-Milligan Update: 5th graders

The 5th graders at Exeter-Milligan are currently in their Social Studies unit. We have been learning about the United States Constitution and the many freedoms that, we as citizens, have. We have discussed the meaning of the motto E pluribus unum and how it stands for “Out of many, one.” Even though this motto came about when there were only 13 states, it still applies to our united country today 

Pictured is some of the Fifth grade class saying the Pledge of Allegiance. We say this every morning and reflect on how our country is “...indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

written by - Miss Rachel Lucas

Pictured are: Jacy Schlueter, Wyatt Motis, Caleb Horne, Ty Underwood, Nick Hayek, Max Zeleny and Anna Sluka