Delores W. Hongsermeier

Delores W. Hongsermeier, 89 of Grand Island, died Thursday, March 26, 2015, at CHI Health, St. Francis, Grand Island, NE.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, at Messiah Lutheran Church with the Pastor Gary Harris and Pastor Bill Schroeder officiating. Memorials are suggested to Messiah Lutheran Church. To honor Deloress wishes, cremation has taken place.

The family will greet friends from 2:30 to 4:30 PM Sunday, at Apfel Funeral Home at 1123 W 2nd, Grand Island, NE.

Delores W. Hongsermeier was born April 15, 1925 in rural Grand Island the daughter of Hans & Olga (Wilhelmi) Koch. She grew up and attended School District 51 in rural Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1943.

Following High School, Delores worked for the Hall County Extension agent and then for Bell Telephone.

She was united in marriage to Dale W. Hongsermeier on September 14, 1947, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Grand Island. The couple made their home east of Grand Island and later moved to the Wood River/Alda area where they raised their family. Once their children had moved from the home, Delores returned to work as a medical receptionist. She also served as an ESL teacher, where she was much loved by and maintained long friendships with many of her students.

Delores was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church where she was active in the WELCA and Church Women United and also taught Sunday School for many years. She served as a 4-H Club Leader and was a sponsor for the Hall County 4-H Junior Leaders Washington, DC trip.

Delores was a gifted seamstress and sewed much of her childrens clothing. She was an avid bird watcher, loved tending to her flower garden and baking cookies for her grandchildren. She taught her love of the Lords creation to her children & grandchildren. Delores especially cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 67 years, Dale Hongsermeier of Grand Island, NE, daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and John Bell of Grand Island, Debbie Fallon (Jorge Torres) of Roswell, NM; a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Teresa Hongsermeier of Ravenna; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Olga Koch; her in-laws, Bill and Ella Hongsermeier; one brother, Herbert Koch; and two grandchildren, Sean Devine and Shawna Fallon.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com