Born 5 Feb 1921 in Randolph, Cedar, Nebraska, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Herbert Louis Gerlemann — married 5 Dec 1943 (to 1961) in Hoskins, Wayne, Nebraska, United States

Wife of Leo Gerald Hansen — married 11 Jan 1964 in Winside, Wayne Co., NE

Died 7 Jan 2015 at age 93 in Wayne, Wayne, Nebraska, United States

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Biography

The 1940 US Census, Lincoln Township, Washington, Nebraska listed that Esther Greunke was at her Grandparent's Harmon and Annie Gieselmann home when the census was taken. It said she lived in Wayne, Nebraska for her last birthday and was listed as renting a room in their home.

Esther was a widow with a daughter named Jo Ann Gerlemann. After Leo died, she said she had buried two husbands and would never marry again. Esther died at The Oaks where she had lived for the last few years of her life. When I last visited her in September 2014, she couldn't really carry on a conversation very well and thought she was 100 years old. Esther wondered why she was still living and frequently prayed out loud singing many Amens after each prayer. She kept her faith to the end and will be missed.^[1]

Obituary

Esther L. Hansen, 93, of Wayne, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 at The Oaks in Wayne.

Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne. The Rev. Michael Feldman and the Rev. Carl Lilienkamp will officiate.

God gave breath of life to Esther Louise Hansen on Feb. 5, 1921, on a farm 10 miles south of Randolph to John and Elsie (Gieselman) Greunke. She was the eldest of three children, her brothers were Virgil and Ray. Esther was baptized and then confirmed June 3, 1935 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hoskins. She attended country school at District # 4 through the eighth grade near Randolph. Esther married Herbert Gerlemann on Dec. 5, 1943. To this union one daughter, JoAnn was born. The couple farmed south of Wayne until Herberts death in May of 1961. Esther and JoAnn then moved to Wayne. Esther married Leo Hansen on Jan. 11, 1964, and together they made their home in Wayne. They enjoyed farming, cards, traveling and spent many years helping in the Wayne County Fair. Leo died in April of 1990. Esther was also a member of The Merry Mixers Club and an avid quilter.

Survivors include one daughter, JoAnn (Butch) Redel of Bennington; two grandchildren, Terry (Tanya) Redel of Junction City, Kan. and Tami Garcias of Omaha; three great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sisters-in-law, Marcella Geunke and Esther Greunke both of Fremont and Donna Hansen and Margaret Ann Hansen both of Wayne; nieces and nephews.

She was precede in death by her parents; both husbands; brother, Raymond Greunke and Virgil Greunke; in-laws, Herbert (Margaret Mary) Hansen; Lester Hansen, Laurence (Frances) Hansen and Leona (Harold) Magnuson; a nephew Kevin Hansen; and a niece, Deborah Hansen.

Honorary pallbearers were Esther's grandchildren, Terry Redel and Tami Garcias.

Active pallbearers were Dan Hansen, Kelly Hansen, Craig Evans, Randy Dunklau, Ron Sebade, Joel Hansen, and Larry Hansen.

Memorials may be directed to Providence Medical Center and Grace Lutheran Church.

Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne. Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne was in charge of the arrangements.

Sources

• Hansen Family Tree
• Dianne's personal memories
• Esther Hansen's obituary in The Wayne Herald
• Archives.com, 1940 US Census, Lincoln Township, Washington, Nebraska
• Findagrave.com #141035615

Footnotes

1. ↑ Entered by Dianne Echols.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Dianne Echols for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Dianne and others.