Wayne Hansmeier

Wayne Hansmeier, age 86 of Keystone, Nebraska died Monday, August 21st, 2023 at Ogallala Community Hospital in Ogallala, Nebraska.

Wayne was born March 15th, 1937 in rural Keith County, Southeast of Ogallala to Frederick and Sophia (Rentschler) Hansmeier.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ogallala. He attended District 22 school. Wayne then attended Ogallala High School where he was very active in FFA and the county 4H. He graduated in 1954. He then went on to enlist in the Army National Guard on April 19th, 1957, while still active on the family farm and the National Guard he met the love of his life, Edie Marshall. They were married on January 29, 1956.

Wayne and Edie worked together and raised their children on the Hansmeier family farm.

In February 1992 Edie passed away.

Wayne then met Joan (Coble) the next love of his life and they were married on February 20, 1993, giving them 30 wonderful loving years together.

For over 60 years Wayne’s love for Farming and all things agriculture led to the Hansmeier family farm earning the Nebraska Family Pioneer award. In January 2014 Wayne was awarded the 15th and final recipient of the Dean Knaub Memorial award at the 38th annual Ag Appreciation Banquet.  Wayne was acknowledged for his diversity in his operations, growing corn, edible beans, wheat, popcorn, alfalfa, and soybeans, and his Black Angus Cattle. Wayne also was very involved with 4H always being a prominent face at the Keith County Fair.

As a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, he served and held many offices within the church, and was instrumental in the fellowship addition of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Throughout his life, Wayne never doubted the Lord’s plan for him, his strong faith gave him strength and courage to live each day to the fullest.

Family was always the centerpiece for Wayne and he knew it was important to raise his children right, he hoped all the lessons he taught them through life would help his children thrive throughout their lives. It brought him great joy to see and experience their accomplishments. He adored all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved hearing all about their activities and was always astonished at their knowledge and accomplishments at such young ages.

Survivors: Wife, Joan Hansmeier, of Keystone; two sons, Lonne (Beth) Hansmeier and Scott (Karie) Hansmeier of Ogallala; 2 daughters, Cindy (Paul) Gallenstein, Fort Collins, CO. and Shelly (Byron) Oberg, Phoenix, AZ.; one sister, Connie (LaVern) Eichner of Ogallala; sister-in-law, Merva (Mark) Empson of Ogallala. Six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Evan (Amy) Hansmeier of Lincoln, NE.; Logan Hansmeier of Ogallala and Brandt Hansmeier, Ogallala; Zac (Nicki)Fornander and children Zoe, and Kiera of Sidney, NE; Molly (Kent) Koehn and children Kooper, Kingston, & Kash of Gothenburg, Ne.; Leon (Amanda) Hansmeier and children Lily & Elsa of Lincoln, NE.

He is also survived by his loving step-children; Ted (Alexi) Jochum, Longmont, Co., Celine (Mike) Sawyer, North Platte, and Harry Coble, North Platte. Five step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild, Sydney (Robert) Lee, Stockton, MO. Dylan Jochum of Omaha, NE, Garet (Katie) Jochum of Omaha, NE., Allison Sawyer and child Taya Sawyer, of Warrenville, Il.; Alec Sawyer, of Lincoln, NE.

Preceded in Death: parents; Frederick and Sophia Hansmeier; Wife, Edie Hansmeier; two brothers Infant, Bobby Dean Hansmeier and Gary Hansmeier; a sister, Darlene Hatch, and Godson and nephew; Kevin Hatch.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 27th, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Southeast of Ogallala, Nebraska, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 28th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. in St. John’s Lutheran Church Southeast of Ogallala, Nebraska, with Rev. Albert Bader officiating.

A memorial has been established in Wayne’s Memory for St. John’s Lutheran Church. Please make checks payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Internment is at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Southeast of Ogallala, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com. Services will be live-streamed at www.drauckerfh.com by clicking the "watch live" button.

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.