John W. Hasselquist

A celebration of life and inurnment for John W. Hasselquist will be held on April 18, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska with military honors.

John Wesley Hasselquist of Sparks, Nevada, passed away at his home on January 22, 2026, at the age of 83.

John was born on July 6, 1942 in Holdrege, Nebraska to Wesley and Pauline (Waller) Hasselquist.  After attending rural school, John graduated from Holdrege High School in 1960.  John grew up with a strong sense of responsibility and service that would guide his life. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska and was commissioned through the ROTC program in 1964. That same year, he entered active duty in the United States Air Force, completing the Accounting and Finance Officers Course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

John proudly served 23 years in the United States Air Force, holding leadership roles in accounting, finance, and management at assignments around the world. These included Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota; RAF Bentwaters and RAF Upper Heyford in England; Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio; U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Air Base in Thailand; Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico; George Air Force Base in California; and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In July 1984, he was appointed Director of Accounting and Finance for the Electronic Systems Division at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where he served until his retirement from military service in 1987 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

A lifelong learner, John earned a Master of Arts in Business Administration from New Mexico Highlands University while stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. He was also a graduate of Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College and completed Air War College coursework through correspondence. His military honors included the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Following his Air Force career, John began a second distinguished career working as the CFO for a government contractor at the world's largest army ammunition depot. He served 23 years full-time as Controller at Day & Zimmermann Hawthorne in Nevada followed by an additional 11 years in a part-time capacity, fully retiring in June 2022. His commitment, precision, and steady leadership defined both his military and civilian careers.  John was also known for his 140-mile daily commute from Fallon to Hawthorne with his Toyota which had over 400,00 miles and still running strong until one night John hit a cow on his commute and totaled the Toyota.

Outside of work, John remained deeply connected to his Nebraska roots. He faithfully returned to Holdrege for high school class reunions, often noting with pride that the Class of 1960 continued to gather decades later. He also made annual trips to Lincoln to attend Nebraska Cornhusker football games. In 2024, he attended the 400th consecutive sellout game, having also been present at the very first sellout in 1962 while a student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was also an avid fan of Nebraska Cornhusker volleyball and basketball and a proud member of the Northern Nevadans for Nebraska attending Husker game watch parties each fall.

John's pride and joy was his son, David, his best friend. Attending David's activities brought fun times and great memories for them both. In 2011, John relocated to Sparks, Nevada to be closer to his son. He especially loved having David accompany him to Nebraska so he could share his love for his home state and the Huskers. Sadly, David passed in April of 2020.

John is survived by his sister, Betty (Hasselquist) Leggott and her husband Michael of Grand Island, Nebraska; his sister-in-law, Lynn Hasselquist of Holdrege, Nebraska; and his nieces and nephews and their spouses: Jessica (Leggott) Covi and her husband, Kristopher Covi, of Omaha, Nebraska; Tyson Hasselquist and his wife, Krist Voytilla, of Boise, Idaho; Jason Hasselquist and his wife, Misty Hasselquist, of Kearney, Nebraska; Eliza (Maher) Hasselquist of Umeå, Sweden; Kate (Leggott) Pepsny and her husband, Keith Pepsny, of Seattle, Washington; and Heidi (Hasselquist) Anderson and her husband, Chris Anderson, of Holdrege, Nebraska; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his former wife, Lana Hunter of Sparks, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his son, David Hunter Hasselquist; his parents, Wesley and Pauline Hasselquist; his sister, Norma Jean, who died in infancy; his brothers, Stuart Hasselquist and Keith Hasselquist; his sister-in-law, Claudia Hasselquist; and his nephew, Niles Hasselquist.

John will be remembered for his steady leadership, sharp intellect, deep loyalty, and enduring love for family, country, and Nebraska traditions. His legacy of service and integrity lives on in all who knew and loved him.

Memorials in John's memory are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

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.