A. Eleanor Hasselquist

A celebration of the life service for A. Eleanor Hasselquist will be held at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Gary Winget and Chaplain DeWane Dow, officiating. Interment will be at Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska.

Anna Eleanor Hasselquist, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. Eleanor was born November 19, 1918 in Burke, South Dakota, the third of seven children of Rolla and Cornelia (Hiner) Wade. She graduated from Broken Bow High School with the class of 1936 and then taught in rural schools after receiving her two-year Normal School degree. Later in years, Eleanor continued her education and graduated from Kearney State College in 1968 with B.A. and taught in Huntley, Nebraska and Ragan, Nebraska Public Schools through the 1970's.

On February 19, 1944, she was united in marriage with Raymond Edwin Hasselquist of Holdrege and to this union three daughters were born: Ann, Sue, and Jane. The family made their home in Holdrege, until 1966 when they moved to Funk, Nebraska. In 1991, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond. Following his death, she made her home in Holdrege.

Eleanor found great joy being with her daughters and their families. She had a unique sense of humor and made every gathering a memorable time for all involved. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holdrege, past member of the Silver Thimble Extension Club, Joy Class, and was active in leading Camp Fire Girls. In her later years, she enjoyed volunteering at the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

She will be remembered and missed by her three daughters: Ann McGee (Marion) of Lexington, Nebraska, Sue Clements (Wayne) of Casper, Wyoming, Jane Ruppert (Duane) of Ogallala; eight grandchildren: Kirk McGee of Hailey, Idaho, Craig McGee (MK) of Omaha, Casey McGee of Lexington, Kelly Hopfer (Jason) of Denver, Colorado, Stephanie Lemonds (Jason) of Tabor, Iowa, Robin Cobaugh (Gary) of Ogallala, Mark Anderson (Becky) of Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth Anderson of Ogallala; eleven great-grandchildren: Alex, Victoria, Madeline, Lauren, Nora, Tess, Anna, Jesse, Isaac, Ethan, and Amaris; two sisters: Virginia Milton (Bernie) of Lincoln and Lenore Nunn of Bothel, Washington.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Rolla, William, and Bob Wade; one sister, Lorraine Cuckler, two sisters-in law: Vida Wade and Elsie Wade; three brothers-in law: Gerald Cuckler, Charles Dalton, and Lloyd Nunn.

Eleanor will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Sunday, July 27, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.