Norman Willard Hanssen

Norman Willard Hanssen, 94 of Grand Island died April 2, 2016 at the Life Center in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Caroline Price-Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Norman was born at home to Arnold and Paula (Keuscher) Hanssen on November 8, 1921. He was raised on a farm south of Grand Island along with his brothers, Harold and John. Prior to finishing high school Norman went to California to become a machinist. He received his high school equivalency diploma while in California by attending night school. He worked for Douglas Aircraft as a specialized aircraft skin riveter. During this time he also worked at North American Aviation. His job included installing engines, repair and maintenance of the BT-13 trainer, P-39 fighters, P-63 night fighters, B-24 and B-25 bombers and C-47 transport aircraft. Early in his service period he was a flight Engineer crewmember on a B-24 bomber. At the end of his Army career, he was involved in maintaining large C-97 and C-124 transport aircraft. Norman enlisted in the US Army Air Corp August 21, 1942 at Ft. Mac Arthur in Los Angeles. While on a trip by train from Grand Island back to California he met Thelma Gessmann of Manilla, Iowa. They were united in marriage on November 8, 1942, in Las Vegas on Norman’s 21st birthday. Thelma was buried on what would have been their 66th wedding Anniversary. Norman’s Air Corp accomplishments include: Conferred Citation for Carbine Marksman, Good Conduct Medal, ATO Ribbon and The Victory Ribbon. Corporal Hanssen was honorably discharged February 27, 1946 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He joined the USAF Reserve in 1946 and was honorably discharged in January 1949. He had been honored to be selected to go on the Hero Flights for Military Veterans to Washington, D.C. in 2012. His cap from the flight was been a source of pride and followed him to nursing homes and his many hospitalizations. Norman and Thelma moved to Grand Island in July of 1951, residing with Norman’s parents on the family farm south of the City. They moved to a home he built near Stolley Park and later built a new home on the original Hanssen homestead. He was employed with a sheet metal fabrication and fitting business in Grand Island while working evenings for his National Schools degree. Norman received his Technical diploma from the National Schools in Los Angeles for Radio, Television and Allied Electronics in 1952. Norman and Thelma operated a radio and television repair shop in their home that developed into a Television Sales business. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Champion Camping Group and the Platt Deutsche Society. Norman enjoyed fishing, boating, camping and talking with people. He is survived by his sons, Richard and Cindy (Otto) Hanssen of Omaha and Bill Hanssen of Lincoln; grandchildren, Nik and Lacy Hanssen of Omaha, Randy and Heather Peterson of Manhattan, KS and great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Shane and Libby Hanssen and Colbie Peterson; brothers, John Hanssen of Grand Island and Harold and Bonnie Hanssen of Doniphan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceding Norman in death are his wife, Thelma; his parents; and sister-in-law Sharon Hanssen. Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church.

Norman Willard Hanssen

November 8, 1921 - April 2, 2016

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Norman Willard Hanssen

November 8, 1921 - April 2, 2016

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support