Mary Hansmeier Obituary

Mary Ann Hansmeier, age 90, of rural Ogallala, passed away Friday, November 28, 2025. Mary Ann was born in North Platte, Nebraska, on December 31, 1934, to John Brant and Leona (Vande Voorde, Bueoy) Brant. She grew up alongside her older brother, Joe, and her younger sister, Leona and was a lifelong resident of Keith County.

She graduated from Ogallala High School and married Thomas (Tom) Hansmeier on January 2, 1953, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, southeast of Ogallala. Together they were blessed with two children, Steven Carl and Susan Jo. Mary Ann and Tom lived their married life on the Hansmeier farm for 66 years, where they worked together and built a life centered on faith, family, and the land they tended.

Mary Ann was an active and faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church throughout her life. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Catechism classes, and participated in Women’s Bible Study and Dorcas Ladies Aid. She enjoyed working with children and served as a teacher’s aide at Ogallala West 5th Elementary School from 1979 to 1983.

Mary Ann was known for her kindness, generosity and love for her family and community. She was fondly called “Pink” by her grandchildren and by many others who knew her well.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan, and husband John Hardessen of Kearney; grandchildren Erica and husband Eric Edwards of Kearney, Jess and wife Mikala Hardessen of Gretna, Andrew and wife Lisa Hansmeier of Franktown, Colorado, Laura and husband Matt Payne of Ogallala, Heather Hansmeier of Colorado, and Mia Hilber-Hansmeier and her sister, Cassie Bailey and husband Josef Erickson of Omaha. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Drue and Asher Barbee, Olivia and Max Hardessen and Otto and Rhett Edwards; and great-great-grandson Cohen Barbee.

Additional survivors include her sister, Leona Gill of Big Springs; sisters-in-law Peg Ekart of Imperial and Mary Sue and husband Dan Borowski of rural Ogallala; and many nieces, nephews and Becky Cockerill, a dear friend to the family who provided devoted care to both Tom and Mary Ann.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her son, Steven Hansmeier; her parents and stepfather, Eugene Rathbun; her brother, Joe Bueoy; her father- and mother-in-law, Carl and Esther Hansmeier; sisters-in-law Betty Gloy, Janice Hansmeier, and Pat Engel; brothers-in-law Ira Painter, Leonard Gloy, Ivan Ekart, Fred Engel, Gerald Hansmeier and Sam Gill; and nephews Tim Engel and Vincent Gill.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her strong sense of family, her dedication to her church, the generosity she extended to others and the many years she and Tom devoted to their farm and community.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ogallala, NE with Rev. Michael Heckmann of Zion Lutheran Church of Grant officiating. Visitation will be Friday, December 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm until 5:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ogallala or the Keith County Foundation Fund for Youth Programs.

Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com and services will be live streamed from www.draucekrfh.com by clicking the watch live button.

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.