Demas Lee Griess

Hastings resident, Demas Lee Griess, 75, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital; Hastings, NE. Services will be Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Lee Wigert and Rev. Dr. Matt Fowler officiating. A private family burial will be at the Sutton Cemetery, Sutton, NE. Visitation will be Friday, August 7, 2009 from 12 noon to 9 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE and one hour prior to service time at the church. Demas was born September 1, 1933 to Oscar J. S. and Hulda (Brening) Griess in Stockham, NE. He attended country school and graduated from the Sutton High School in 1951. He was active in 4-H and was 4-H King in 1950. He was active in sports in high school. He attended the University of Nebraska and played football from 1951 to 1955 graduated in June of 1955. He was active in the ROTC, and he served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He married Twilia Overturf of Sutton on June 28, 1953; she passed away, January 29, 2005. They had lived in Lincoln, NE, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Polk, LA where he finished his US Army service. They then lived in Omaha, Sutton, Elkhorn and Hastings, all in Nebraska, where he was in various businesses. Demas has owned and operated Hatten Electric Service since 1977. He later acquired Bak-Vol. He married Olive Ollie Harmon on November 5, 2005 in Hastings, NE. He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Hastings, NE. He enjoyed attending Nebraska Football games and other sporting events, traveling, working at the shop and yard work. He is survived by his wife Ollie, son, Bryan Douglas Griess and wife Kathy, and daughter, Belinda Kae Nuss and husband Paul all of Hastings, NE. 7 Grandchildren and spouses, 3 Great Grandchildren, 3 Step Children, David, Donald and Debra, and spouses, 4 Step Grandchildren and 1 Step Great Grandson, and 1 sister Doris Wurth and husband Lefty of Omaha, NE. A niece, nephews, their spouses and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Twilia, and 1 daughter Amy Jo. Demas requested no flowers. Memorials may be given to the Grace United Methodist Church, or American Cancer Society.