Norman L. Hansen

Norman L. Hansen, age 83 of Ogallala, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Norman was born March 31, 1931 at Stanton County, Nebraska to Otto and Nina (Taylor) Hansen. He attended Stanton High School, where he graduated with the class of 1950. In September of 1952, Norman was called to serve his country in Korea, where he was a part of an engineering battalion that was integral in the construction of the Libby Bridge.
In September of 1953, Norman returned home from Korea. On September 14, 1954, he married Katherine R. VanDieken at the St. John’s Lutheran Church at Stanton. The couple farmed for 3 years in the Stanton area before Norman got a job with Missouri Valley Construction. The Hansen family would move 34 times in the next 11 years, following Norman’s work wherever it took them. In 1968, the family settled in Ogallala, with Norman still travelling with work frequently. In 1977, Norman was involved in a work accident that left him with severe burns over a significant portion of his body. In 1991, Norman went to work for the Keith County Roads Department, retiring in January of 2001.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Norman enjoyed watching wrestling, playing bingo and listening to polka music. He loved to socialize, and had scores of stories that he would often tell. He and his family would often attend his war veteran reunions, where he cherished being able to reconnect with his past friends and their service to our nation.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Lisa; mother and father-in-law, Herman and Patty VanDieken; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ted and Rita VanDieken, Rex Posvar, Garry Neilsius and Charles Cole.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Wife, Katherine Hansen of Ogallala; 2 daughters, Brenda (Randy) Styskal of Grant, Fauneil (Jim) Meier Of Elm Creek; 3 grandsons, Joshua (Stephanie) Meier, Todd (Candice) Meier and Scott Meier (Jody Taylor); 7 great grandchildren, Ryan, Alexander, Miley, Maizy, Kyler, Jayden and Madelyn; 2 sisters, Myrna Neisius of Norfolk, Arlene Posvar of Lyons; brother, Raymond (Delores) Hansen of Norfolk; sister-in-law, Glendoris Cole of Littleton, CO; and many friends.
A memorial has been established in Norman’s memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala with John Long officiating.
A memorial book signing will be on Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home.
A subsequent memorial service will be held at the Shultz-Vogel-Johnson Mortuary in Stanton, Nebraska on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. (CT). Inurnment will follow at the Stanton Cemetery.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.