Gerald E. Hansmeier

Gerald "Jerry" E. Hansmeier, of Ogallala, passed away May 12, 2021, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Jerry was born November 1, 1931, at Ogallala to Carl and Esther (Blomenkamp) Hansmeier. He attended District 22 school before graduating from Ogallala High School with the class of 1949.

In March of 1953, Jerry entered the U.S. Army, where he served in Korea. Following his discharge in 1954, he returned to Ogallala. On April 13, 1958, Jerry married Janice Smith. Their union was blessed with three children, Brenda, Diane, and Russell. In 1961, Jerry and Janice moved to the farm southeast of Ogallala, where they raised their family.

Jerry was always a conscientious man, and his farm was a near-perfect reflection of that trait. He was honest and true, hard-working and attentive. He would spend hours keeping the grounds in and around the farm free from the blemish of weeds. When one looked at his property and how it was cared for, they got a sense for the man who owned it.

Jerry had a tireless work ethic and yet was patient with those around him. He had a real sense of integrity that inspired his children and grandchildren, who got to know him well. Jerry's life truly centered around his family, from the way he cared for his wife, to the way he beamed when he got to share his passion for the farm with his children and grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; wife, Janice; infant grandson, Bryan Gifford; brother, Tom; sister, Betty; brothers in-law, Irvin Miller, Ira Painter, Leonard Gloy, Fred Engel and Ivan Ekart.

Survivors include children, Russell (Danette) Hansmeier of Ogallala, Brenda Hansmeier (Randy) Eckhoff of Sutherland, Diane Hansmeier and special friend (Chad Knoedler) of Lewellen; six grandchildren, Amanda (Josh) Dack, Jeremy (Shaye) Gifford, Haley Hansmeier, Luke Hansmeier, Dexter Robertson, and Brooke (Clint) Parker; great-grandchildren, Everett Dack and Graham Gifford; sisters, Pat Engel of Omaha, Peg Ekart of Imperial, Mary Sue (Dan) Borowski of rural Grant; sisters in-law, Mary Ann Hansmeier and Kathleen (Ron) Most; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials have been established to support St. John's Lutheran Church and Alzheimer's Research.

Services will be on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 10:30 am at St. John's Lutheran Church southeast of Ogallala, with Pastor Albert Bader officiating. Interment will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Keith County Veterans Organizations.

Visitation will be on Sunday, from 1 pm until 5 pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala with family receiving friends from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.