N. Hazel Hesterman, 85 years of age, of Sterling, Nebraska died at the Syracuse Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, December 29, 2004. She was born on September 22, 1919 at her parents’ home at rural Adams, Nebraska and was baptized on October 19, 1919 at the Pella Reformed Church of rural Adams, Nebraska. She attended and graduated from Panama High School in 1938 and then attended Peru State Teachers College where she received her teaching degree in 1940. She taught country school for several years. She was married to Norman H. Hesterman on May 19, 1943 at the Pella Reformed Church of rural Adams, Nebraska. They lived and farmed in the Adams and Sterling vicinity and then after the death of Norman, Hazel moved into Sterling in 1992. She also worked at the Campbell Soup Company in Tecumseh and drove the school bus for the Sterling Public School System. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Sterling, Nebraska where she had taught Sunday School. She enjoyed patchwork quilting and working on the family farm.

Survivors include three daughters, Lois Buehler of Sterling, Nebraska, Laura Heiden and her husband Ed of Sterling, Nebraska and Faith Parde and her husband Clarence of Sterling, Nebraska. 12 grandchildren Ronald Buehler and his wife Debra, Russell Buehler, Richard Buehler and his wife Kathy, Rodger Buehler and his wife Kristen, Lisa Sanders and her husband John, Michael Parde and special friend Rhonda Esdohr, Jeffrey Parde and his wife Angie, Lindsey Pohlmeyer and her husband Darrell, Nichole Heiden, Andrew Heiden, Doug Parde and his wife Aimee and Annette Parde. Seven great-grandchildren. One sister, Donna Kohlschmidt of Beatrice, Nebraska. One brother, Dale Nieveen and his wife Ethel of Adams, Nebraska. Two sisters-in-law, Wilma Nieveen of Sterling, Nebraska and Emma Bouwens of Adams, Nebraska. Several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Martin and Dreaka Bouma Nieveen, her husband, Norman who died on June 15, 1990, one brother Nanco Nieveen, one sister Geraldine Boyte and a son-in-law Robert Buehler.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday morning, January 1, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. the Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Sterling, Nebraska with Pastor Harold Hintzman officiating. Burial will be in the Immanual Lutheran Cemetery of rural Sterling, Nebraska. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 A.M. in the fellowship room of the church. A memorial has been established to the family’s choice with the Immanuel Church Elders in charge. The body will lie in state at the Zink-Fox Funeral Home of Sterling, Nebraska until 8:00 P.M. Friday evening and at the church on Saturday one hour preceding the services. A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is also available online www.foxfuneralhome.net. Zink-Fox Funeral Home of Sterling, Nebraska in charge of arrangements.