Velma L Hannawald

Hastings resident, Velma L. Hannawald, 95 passed away Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Perkins Pavilion, Good Samaritan Society, Hastings-Village. Services will be Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 10:30 AM at All Saints Chapel, Good Samaritan Society, Hastings-Village with Rev. Charles Johnson officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Forrest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, NE. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 9 AM to 9 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Make A Wish Foundation. Velma was born January 9, 1916 to Earl and Clara (Wright) Wathen in Morrill, NE. She attended Chaulk Buttes grade school north of Henry, NE and Torrington, WY high school. Velma married Jim Smith in 1932 in Henry, NE. Two children were born to that union, an infant son who died at birth and a daughter, Lois. Velma married Joe Yerger in Fort Morgan, CO in 1937. Two children were born to that union George and Joyce. Velma and Joe lived in Henry, NE until Joe died on April 3, 1968. Velma moved to Gering after Joes death and married Lynn Hannawald in March of 1975. Lynn passed away December 25, 1978. Velma then moved from Gering to Hastings, NE in 2001 to be closer to her family. She lived at the Village Green retirement village and Perkins Pavilion until her death. Velma worked in the mercantile store in Henry, NE for many years and later worked as a clerk in the post office until her retirement. Velma was a member of the Henry Womans Club, the VFW and the NARFE. Velma also volunteered at the Scottsbluff Regional West Hospital gift shop. She was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, both in Hastings, NE. Velma loved doing crafts, playing cards, and visiting with her family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Lois Youngs and husband Al of Reno, NV, her son, George Yerger and wife Jan of Hastings, NE, son-in-law, Carlos Hambleton of Burleson, TX, sister, Betty Murry of Gates, TN, brother, Don Wathen and wife Elaine of Fresno, CA, 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Joe Yerger and Lynn Hannawald, daughter Joyce Hambleton, infant son, and 3 brothers, Henry, Willis and Frank Wathen.