Orville J. Hassler

Orville "Ollie" Hassler, 93, of Emerson, NE passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, August 7, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson; Father Gerald Leise will be celebrating mass. Visitation will be Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The burial with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh- Smith Funeral Home in Emerson. Ollie was born July 5, 1924 in Beemer, NE to Pete and Rosa (Poledna) Hassler. They lived in Beemer until he was six. The family then moved four miles south of Emerson for two years and then to a farm by Emerson in 1934. He worked at the Phillip 66 gas station for about 5 years along with the farm in the late 30’s. Ollie graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy for two years in 1946, which allowed him to travel all over the world. He attended Wayne State College on the GI Bill and completed his degree in Business and Education in three years. Ollie achieved his Master’s Degree from USD in 1958. He taught at many different Nebraska schools, his longest being at Exeter High School. He also coached football and basketball. Ollie worked for Reader’s Digest Education for over a year and then joined Merrill Publishing for over 28 years. He was very successful selling text books to schools in Iowa and Nebraska. After retirement, he enjoyed creating stained glass windows. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Marilyn Hassler of Emerson, NE and many nieces; nephews, and cousins. Ollie was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; sisters; nieces and nephews.