Walter R. Hanisch
February 28, 1935 - January 8, 2026
Walter R. Hanisch, age 90, of Elkhorn, NE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Marquis Place of Elkhorn.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul, NE. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Soulville Cemetery near Boelus, Nebraska. Pastor Darren Timberlake will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Fremont First United Church (
[email protected]), or Soulville Cemetery maintenance fund c/o Boelus Bank.
Walter was born on February 28, 1935, in Omaha, NE, to Gustav and Louise (Wiese) Hanisch. He grew up in the Rockville area and graduated from Ravenna High School in 1952.
On December 31, 1954, Walter was united in marriage to LaDonna Calvin. The couple lived in Southern California for a short time before returning to the Rockville farm in Nebraska. They later relocated to a farm near Cushing, where they established a dairy operation on the family farm originally owned by Gus and Louise. Walter devoted his life to farming, raising crops, dairy cattle, and Thoroughbred/Quarter Horses. He took great pride in his work.
Outside of farming, Walter enjoyed the Nebraska Cornhuskers football, Denver Broncos, horse racing, and dancing. Walter was proud to serve as a Regional Director for the Mid-American Dairymen's Association, staying connected to the dairy community he loved. Walter was first married to LaDonna Calvin. He later married Linda Jacobsen, and while both marriages eventually ended, each was an important chapter in his life. Prior to 2021, Walter lived in Colorado before returning to Nebraska, where he resided at Marquis Place of Elkhorn.
Those left to cherish his memory include his sons and daughters-in-law, Edward and Ellen Hanisch of Gig Harbor, Washington, Jerry and Shirley Hanisch of St. Paul, Nebraska; his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Paul Landis of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Brandon Landis, Derek and Sydney Landis, Jesse and Kelly Hanisch, Brock and Rachelle Hanisch, Garrett Hanisch, Jonathan and Corrine Hanisch, Erica Hanisch, Jack Hanisch; and great-grandchildren, Piper, Henry, and Mia Hanisch, Rhy Landis, Colter Landis, Remy Hanisch, and Max and Cort Hanisch.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Louise Hanisch; his daughter, Patricia Ann Hanisch; and his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Richard and Florence Hanisch.
Walter will be remembered for his hard work, his love of family, and the joy he brought to those around him.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at
www.jacobsengreenway.com.
Published by The Grand Island Independent on Jan. 14, 2026.