Leonard Hassenstab

Leonard Vincent Hassenstab, age 96, was born on January 22, 1927 to George and Julia (Zach) Hassenstab and passed away on January 27, 2023.

Beloved husband of the late Adele (Kelly) Hassenstab, and loving father to Susan Phelps, Mary Beth Eisenmenger (Larry), James Hassenstab(Rose), Timothy Hassenstab(Sheila), Jane Craig (Kevin), Deborah Herchenbach(Jim), Anne Cudaback, and Thomas Hassenstab(Cheri).

Leonard was raised on the family farm near Humphrey and, as a member of the Greatest Generation, he grew up during the depression and served his country during World War II. Life on the farm instilled in him a profound love of nature and a strong work ethic. After his graduation from Humphrey St. Francis High School in 1944, he was drafted into the war and served in Japan. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Creighton University on the GI bill graduating in 1950 with a degree in finance.

He was united in marriage to Adele Kelly on August 9th, 1948 and after his graduation from CU they settled in their hometown of Humphrey where they raised their family of eight children. He began his banking career with Farmers State Bank in Humphrey in 1950, a career that would span his entire lifetime. He eventually became the owner of Farmers State Bank, working until he sold the bank in 2016 at the age of 89. In the year 2000, he was honored by the Nebraska Bankers Association for 50 years of service to the banking industry.

In addition to his banking career, he owned and operated Hassenstab Insurance Agency and was a licensed real estate broker. He served as the executor of many estates and was appointed legal guardian for numerous individuals. In his spare time he was busy building, inventing and repairing most anything.

He was a faithful parishioner and supporter of St. Francis parish and school having volunteered in many capacities. He was instrumental in the formation of the church and school endowments and served as the managing trustee of the endowments for several decades. He maintained a beautiful yard and enjoyed planting and trimming trees as well as tending to his flowers and large gardens. In his later years, he especially enjoyed feeding and watching the wildlife in his backyard. He was a dedicated blood donor and donated over 23 gallons.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father and his children will greatly miss his quick wit and wisdom.

He is survived by his children, 30 grandchildren, many great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters, Edna and Helen; brothers, Carl, Alfred, Alvin and Dan; grandson, Christopher Phelps and great-granddaughter, Isabel Phelps.

Funeral services are as follows:  Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am Wednesday, February 1 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey.  Visitation is on Tuesday from 4-6 pm with a 6:00 pm Vigil Service to follow, all at St. Francis Church.  Visitation continues on Wednesday morning from 9 am until service time at the church.  Interment is in St. Francis Cemetery.  Military honors by members of the NE Army National Guard

The family requests no flowers, plants or keepsakes, but rather encourages memorials to St. Francis Church or School

His children wish to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate care given to our dad this past year by the staff at Meridian Gardens and Columbus Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice.