Josef E Hastings

Josef E. Hastings, 60, of Niobrara, Nebraska, passed away Monday, November 6, 2017, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial for Josef E. Hastings will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Pender, NE; Father Gerald A. Leise, Jr. will be Celebrant. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Pender. A visitation will be Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Niobrara and a visitation Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Brockhaus Funeral Home in Niobrara and Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender are in charge of arrangements. Josef, son of J. Dean and Florence (Meier) Hastings, was born December 15, 1956, in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Pender High School in 1975. On March 26, 2011, Josef was united in marriage to Elizabeth Marchina in Cape May, New Jersey. He was blessed with three children, Jodi, Jake, and Jared from his first marriage to Jeanette Hastings. In his early years, Joe worked in the oil fields of Wyoming and Colorado. He was also an over the road truck driver and heavy equipment operator. He spent the last 25 years involved in ranching and as a hunting outfitter. Joe was currently attending college at NICC in Santee, majoring in Native American Studies, with perfect attendance and a 4.0 GPA. Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He always said he “killed more geese, shot more ducks, and caught more fish than anyone else.” Joe enjoyed motorcycle riding. He also raised Labrador Retrievers for 25 years. Joe loved to cook and make sure everyone was fed. His greatest love was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Josef is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Jodi Hastings, Jake (Paige) Hastings, Jared (Ashley) Hastings; grandchildren, Aeden, Tucker, Charlie, Bennett, Oaklyn, Brooklynn, and baby boy Hastings who will arrive in January; siblings, Jane (Ron) Schroer, Tom (Patty) Hastings, Michael (Suzy) Hastings, Mary Hastings, and Ed (Patty) Hastings; aunt, Francis Collins; uncle, Leroy Nilges; the mother of his three children, Jeanette Hastings; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.