Herbert and Mary "Herb" Hansel

1941 - 2025

Herbert "Herb" and Mary Hansel

March 13, 1941 - October 9, 2025

Herbert "Herb" Hansel, Jr., age 82, formerly of Beatrice, NE, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Grand Rapids, MI.

His loving wife, Mary Lee (Gierhart) Hansel, age 84, formerly of Beatrice, NE, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Grand Rapids, MI.

Their celebration of life will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Beatrice, NE. A luncheon will be served immediately after the service. A burial will take place after at the Brethren Cemetery in Holmesville, NE. Per their wishes, they wanted a joint celebration of life, and cremation has already taken place.

Herb was born on August 14, 1938, at the Lutheran Hospital in Beatrice, NE, to Herbert and Hilda (Dissmeyer) Hansel. He graduated from Holmesville High School in 1956. Herb proudly served his country for eight years in the United States Army National Guard and Reserves during the Cold War era. He worked at the Lincoln Regional Center in the carpentry department, Archer Daniel Midland and was the Maintenance Director at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. He came from a farming background near Rockford, NE. While growing up, he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He loved many things including hunting, fishing, yard work, gardening, cooking, canning foods, bible study and often spent time reading. Herb was known for his great sense of humor and beautiful smile!

Mary was born March 13, 1941 on her family farm in Holmesville, NE, to Harry and Grace Gierhart. She graduated from Holmesville High School in 1959. When Mary was 16 years old, her father passed away from a farming accident she had to assume the farming duties, field work and taking care of the livestock. While in high school she participated in volleyball and cheerleading. She was an administrative assistant her entire work career and worked at the Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln Regional Center, Hy-Gain Electronics and Beatrice State Developmental Center.

Mary was a kind and gracious woman of faith, who cherished her family and friends, and spent much of her free time creating memories with the ones she loved. She loved to have fun and laugh. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, flowers, cooking, bible study and music.

Herb and Mary met at Holmesville High School and they married on August 1, 1959 at the Brethren Church in Holmesville, NE. They were devoted to each other for 61 years. They had two daughters, Rhondeen Sue born in 1960 and Denise Renee in 1961. They were the perfect couple, they did everything together! Anytime you saw them, they were holding hands. Their commitment and love for each other could be seen by anyone who met them. Herb and Mary's faith and the belief of salvation through Christ's death on the cross was something they shared with many throughout their lives. They attended church, bible study and enjoyed spending time with their church family. Together they enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning food, playing cards, hunting, fishing, taking walks (holding hands of course), traveling, helping others and visiting friends. Family was of utmost importance, cherishing the memories made and time spent with them. Herb and Mary's love for each other was never-ending and they always remained each others rock through life's ups and downs.

They will be lovingly remembered and missed by their daughter, Rhondeen (Larry) Sluiter; grandchildren, Dustin Schuster (Samantha Starbuck), Joshua (Aredelia) Schuster, Noelle (Michael) Pennetta; great-grandchildren, Giovanni Pennetta and Taylor Schuster; and many extended family and friends.

Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1116 N. 19th Street

Beatrice, NE 68310

402-223-4096