Jerry L. Hagemann

Jerry L. Hagemann, 74 of Albion, NE died unexpectedly Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at his home.

A Public Visitation will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael's Church in Albion, with a 6:00 p.m. wake service.  Social distancing and Covid-19 DHM's will be followed, including no physical contact. The Hagemann Family plans to be present and asks that all in attendance wear a mask. A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at St Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, NE with Fr. John Hagemann officiating. Burial will follow at approximately 11:45 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Albion, NE with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #162, VFW Post #736, Sons of the American Legion Post #162, the Army Funeral Honor Guard, and the American Legion Riders. The public is invited to join the family at the cemetery for the burial service, which will be broadcast on a radio station (will be posted at the cemetery) to allow for people to socially distance.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerome "Jerry" Leander Hagemann, son of Al and Sally (Borer) Hagemann, was born November 21, 1946 in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion. He attended elementary school at St. Michael's Catholic School and graduated from Albion High School in 1965. Following high school, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served from April 14, 1966 to April 1, 1968 during the Vietnam War as Sergeant-tugboat operator on the Saigon River. During this time, he was recognized by his Master Sergeant for his courageous effort in saving the lives of the tugboat crew during an ambush while under enemy fire.

On August 31, 1973, Jerry was united in marriage to Karen J. Thessen at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, Nebraska. Together they raised their four children: Sheila, Jason, Lisa and Ryan.

Throughout his life, Jerry worked at Murphy Implement and drove a truck for Norco Feeds and Grosch Irrigation. Once he retired, he continued to help many local farmers with harvest including the Beierman, Dodds, Naber, and Kurtenbach Families.

Jerry was very active with the Church, VFW, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and was also very involved with numerous Vietnam Veteran groups. He enjoyed gardening, going to auctions to "collect" things, tractor pulls, tractor drives, attending his grandchildren's sporting events and other activities. Visiting with the guys at the coffee shop and spending quality time with his family, friends, and veterans were what he enjoyed the most. His family and fellow veterans were very important to him and always came first. Jerry was always passionate about helping when someone was in need and made friends easily. He had a passion for buying CASE tractors and equipment and had plans on restoring many of them to drive in parades and tractor drives.

Jerry is survived by the mother of his children, Karen Hagemann; four children: Sheila (Larry) Leetch of Albion, Jason (Shannon) Hagemann of Loretto, Lisa (Rob) Johnston of Rising City, and Ryan (Keri) Hagemann of Lincoln; 11 grandchildren: Brenden Johnston; Ty, Parker, Sienna Borer; Jaden, Brynna, Brielle Hagemann; Sam and Lauren Hagemann; Kade Leetch and Faith Sumpter; two great-grandchildren: Jerzi and Jovi Sumpter;  seven siblings: Sally Stidham, Fr. John Hagemann, Bob Hagemann, Judy Hoppe, Jim Hagemann, Ruth Hagemann, and Alan Hagemann.

He was preceded in death by his parents Al and Sally Hagemann, sister-in-law Sue Hagemann, and nephew Louis Hoppe.

Jerry never met a stranger. He always saw the best in people.  Every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn't met yet.