John Ohlsen

Hastings resident, John E. Ohlsen, 83, of 1911 West 11th Street, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 26, 2006; 2:30 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey officiating. Book signing will be Friday, August 25, 2006; 9am-5pm & Saturday, August 26, 2006; 9am-noon at Butler-Volland Funeral Home and 1 hr. prior to service at the church. Memorial to Hastings Public Library or First Presbyterian Church Pastors Discretionary Fund.

Mr. Ohlsen was born January 30, 1923 in Muscatine, Iowa to Gustav H. & Fern (Nesper) Ohlsen. He graduated from Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa in 1940 and from Muscatine Junior College in 1942. He served in the 30th Infantry Medical Detachment Army from 1943-1946. On July 20, 1947, he married Joyce H. Havemann in Muscatine. He received his Bachelors Degree in 1948 and his Masters Degree in 1950 from University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. They moved from Iowa City to Hastings, Nebraska in 1950. He owned & operated Hastings Medical Laboratory for forty years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and Deacon, taught Sunday School, youth sponsor and a Stephen Minister. He was on the Hastings Community Theatre Board and received best actor award twice. He was a member of many professional societies, including the Society of the Sigma Xi, a national honorary scientific society. He published six research papers in two medical journals. He was a past Rotary President and Paul Harris Fellow. He was an instructor in Zoology at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. He taught one semester of Chemistry at Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska. He was a current member of the Fish Fry Book Club. He was appointed to the Hastings City Council in 1964-1965 and in 1966 was elected. He served on the Hastings Planning & Zoning Commission for 11 years.

Mr. Ohlsen was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Steve and one sister.

Survivors include,
Wife: Joyce Ohlsen - Hastings, NE
Son & Daughter-in-law: Greg & Kathy Ohlsen - Utica, NE
Grandchildren & Spouse: Eric & Sarah Ohlsen - Washington, DC
Lauren Ohlsen - Omaha, NE
Katie Ann Ohlsen - West Des Moines, IA
Daughter-in-law: Lana Ohlsen - West Des Moines, IA