Edward Francis O'Donnell

Hastings resident, Edward Francis ODonnell, 81, of 1001 N. Minnesota Ave., died Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings, NE. Services will be Friday, November 16, 2007 at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church, Hastings, NE, with the Rev. Earl Higgens, officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, NE with military rites. Visitation will be Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 9 AM to 9 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Edward was born, March 21, 1926 to John and Mabel (Moore) ODonnell in Oneill, NE. He attended school in Inman, NE and Ewing, NE before moving to Newman Grove, NE, graduating from High School there in 1943. On March 18, 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific on a Sub chaser and a Patrol Craft, until being discharged in June 1, 1946. He returned to Norfolk, NE Junior College to continue his studies, graduating in 1947. On December 21, 1947 he married Katherine Cornell of Norfolk, NE and they moved to Greeley, CO, where he obtained a Bachelors Degree in 1949 and a Masters Degree in 1950 from the University of Northern Colorado. He and his wife moved to Great Falls, Montana where he taught in the Jr. High School there for 3 years. In 1953 they moved to Beatrice, NE where he taught in the Jr. High School until becoming Principal of Paddock Lane Elementary School. The family then moved to Hastings, NE where he was principal of Hawthorne School from 1963 until retiring in 1990. Ed was President of the Beatrice Teachers Association, President of District 1 Nebraska State Teachers Association, President Region 4 Elementary Principals Association and President of Nebraska State Elementary Principals Association. Ed had been a Ham Radio Operator since 1970 (WB0GWR). He was a member of the Hastings Amateur Radio Club, Member of MARS (Military Amateur Radio System), Director of Nebraska MARS and Director of 4 State MARS. He was the voice of Tiger Football and Basketball from 1965-1990 and was the Hastings Legion Baseball announcer from 1963 -1990. He was a member of the Hastings Retired Teachers, Hastings Museum, Adams Co. Historical Society and Friends of the Hastings Public Library. After retirement he and his wife enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Europe, all of Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and most of the states. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, of Hastings, NE, 2 daughters, Ann Lemmerman and husband Richard of Marquette, NE, and Jane Earnest and husband Bill of Grand Island, NE, 1 son, Jeff ODonnell, of Hastings, NE. 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson. Memorials may be given to Hawthorne Elementary School, Hastings, NE.