EVERNA GEORGIA (BEDLAN) HASSELBRING
Everna Georgia (Bedlan) Hasselbring, better known as ‘Tootsie’, was born on February 22, 1927, to Emil and Stella (Kucera) Bedlan near Bruning, Nebraska. She was one of four daughters.
Everna attended school at Bruning and Belvidere before graduating high school in Alexandria, where she took part in glee club, pep club, and girls athletics.
On May 5, 1945, Everna was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Harry Hasselbring. Their union was blessed with the birth of their daughter Donna Rae and son Max Harry.
Everna taught at a rural school outside of Alexandria until Harry returned from the service in 1946. Together they owned and operated Harry’s Cafe in Alexandria for 15 years. In 1965 the couple moved their family to Fairbury, Neb., where Everna worked at Gibson’s Discount for 17 years. When the store closed she worked at Swingsters Outlet until her retirement.
Everna enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her family and friends.
In 2016 Everna moved to Longs Creek Assisted Living in Auburn, Neb. to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Due to failing health, she moved to the Good Samaritan Home where she passed away on December 12 at the age of 93.
Everna is preceded in death by her husband Harry, parents Emil and Stella, sister and brother in law’s, Erma and Emmitt Polage, Mildred and Harry Hasselbring, and Darlene and Jack Houser, son in law Rick Ellis, daughter in law Lisa Hasselbring, and grandson Mark Ellis.
Survivors include her daughter Donna Ellis of Auburn; son Max Hasselbring of Johnson, Neb.; granddaughters Kylie Hochstein and husband Justin of Omaha, Neb., Kelsey Gulizia and husband Lance of Auburn; great grandchildren, Grady, Sawyer, and Banks Gulizia and Baylor Hochstein.
Services were Tuesday, December15, 2020 at the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury. Memorials to the Family’s Choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with services. www.gerdesmeyerfh. com