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Mona Heusel age 78
of Hooper
died Sunday morning April 29th from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Her husband of 52 years, William, was a passenger and fortunately survived without injury. For those who knew her, Mona was an extremely genuine and generous person. For her extended family, Mona was the core from which all drew strength.
Mona M. Larson was born on Feb. 12, 1934 to Helga (Berg) and Louis Larson in Lyle, MN. She attended Lyle High School and was the salutatorian of her graduating class. Shortly after, Mona lost her father-her best friend and biggest fan, from whom she learned how to really engage and respect others. Mona had a talented and caring older sister, Harriet, who taught her to play piano, and who preceded her in death in 1999.
Mona earned a nursing degree from Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing in 1957, and went on to become a Lutheran Deaconess and Director of Nursing at Immanuel Hospital-all by the age of 25. While at Immanuel, she met William ("Bill") Heusel, who was in a medical school clerkship, and recognizing something special in each other, they married on Nov. 26th 1959. Their union, based on the most fundamental human quality-to simply help those in need-affected so many, and in November 2009 they were able to celebrate 50 years of their marriage with many, friends and family alike.
In addition to William, age 89, Mona is survived by her children: Mindy (James) Kankel of Bettendorf, IA, Laurie (Tracy) Nesson of Lincoln, NE, Jonathan Heusel and his wife Jean (Goracke) of Coralville, IA, and Karin Siefkes (Scott Stevens), of Omaha, NE. Mona took exceptional delight and unabashed pride in her grandchildren: Jenna, Jared, Mari (d.), and Lerrin Kankel; Jakob Nesson, Jaimi (Nesson) Hankins (Shane), Mallory Nesson, Luke Nesson, Liam, Caleb and Ethan Heusel, and Jonathan Siefkes. Bill and Mona have one great-grandchild, Isak Messmer, with another eagerly anticipated in July.
Mona Larson Heusel was a wonderful, strong, and resilient woman, who faced and overcame more adversity than was her share, but also enjoyed the love and respect from all who knew her. She invested herself in her community, serving on numerous church committees, girls scouting leader, the Eastern Neb. District 26 School Board, and the Board of Tabitha Health Care Services. She was an outstanding nurse in the Fremont Hospital's Intensive Care Unit for 10 years. Her deep commitment to health care and family was perhaps most evident in her relationship with her granddaughter, Mari Kankel, through which Bill and Mona made many long-term friendships at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital in Iowa City, IA.
A celebration of her extraordinary life is scheduled for Friday May 4th at 3 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hooper NE. The Rev. Joel Schroeder will officiate. Memorial contributions to Redeemer are respectfully suggested.
You are welcome to leave the family a message in Mona's guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.