Patricia Ann (Hansmeier) Engel, 87, of Omaha, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024, on Mother’s Day.
Pat was born June 15th, 1936 to Carl and Esther (Blomenkamp) Hansmeier in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Patricia attended District 22 from 1st to 8th grade and graduated from Ogallala High School in 1953. She continued her education at Kearney State College earning a teaching degree. Patricia taught in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Ogallala and Grant as well as taught pre-school from her home for 35 years. She adored all her students and was a devoted teacher. She was confirmed in her faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church and was a member of Zion Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran.
Patricia met her future husband and the love of her life, Fred when he moved back to Grant after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. They were united in marriage on November 24th, 1957, for 61 years. Fred and Patricia had 4 children: Timothy, Todd, Tricia, and Troy. Being a mom was central to her life, as she was passionate about and fiercely loved her children. She was devastated when they lost 5-year-old Timmy to Leukemia. Pat thoroughly enjoyed following her children's and grandchildren’s sports and school activities.
When Pat wasn’t being a mom or teacher, you would find her cheering on the Huskers, loving on her dogs, tending to her beloved roses, avidly reading, being creative, and solving her puzzle books.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Esther Hansmeier, husband Fred, son Timothy Alan, one sister Betty Painter Gloy, two brothers Tom and Gerald (Jerry) Hansmeier, sister-in-law Janice Hansmeier, brothers-in-law Ivan Ekart, Ira Painter and Leonard Gloy, nephew Steve Hansmeier and grandson Stephen Demanett.
Survivors include two sons Todd (Jennifer) Engel and Troy (Cindy) Engel all of Omaha, one daughter Tricia Jacobsen of Kearney, two sisters Peggy Ekart of Imperial and Mary Sue (Danny) Borowski of Grant, sister-in-law Mary Ann Hansmeier of Ogallala, 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 10:30 am with Rev. Jon Dickmander officiating.
Inurnment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
A memorial has been established for the Lutheran Family Social Services.
Online condolences may be left by clicking the Share a Memory or the Tribute Wall Button by going to www.drauckerfh.com.
Services will be live-streamed at www.drauckerfh.com
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements