Mary Lee Hansel

Mary Lee (Gierhart) Hansel, age 84, formerly of Beatrice, Nebraska passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary was born March 13, 1941 on her family farm in Holmesville, NE to Harry and Grace Gierhart. When Mary was 16 years old, her father passed away from a farming accident and she had to assume the farming duties, field work, and taking care of the livestock.

Mary attended Holmesville High School and participated in volleyball and cheerleading. She graduated in 1959. After graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Herbert Hansel, Jr. on August 1, 1959 at the Brethren Church in Holmesville, NE. They had two daughters, Rhondeen Sue born in 1960 and Denise Renee in 1961. Mary and Herb were married for 61 years before his passing in 2021. They were the perfect couple, and anytime you saw them, they were holding hands. They did everything together!

She was an administrative assistant her entire work career and worked at the Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln Regional Center, Hy-Gain Electronics, and Beatrice State Developmental Center. Her coworkers and those who had the privilege of meeting her, were indeed fortunate, as she always showed kindness, caring, and love to all.

Mary was a kind and gracious woman of faith, who cherished her family and friends, and spent much of her free time creating memories with the ones she loved. She loved to have fun and laugh. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, flowers, cooking, and animals. She attended the Brethren Church in Holmesville, NE, Bennett Community Church in Bennett, NE, Christ Community Church in Beatrice, NE, and Highland Hills Baptist Church, in Grand Rapids, MI. Some of her favorite things about church was the music, hymns, Bible study, and the special bond with her church families.

She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert “Herb” Hansel, Jr.; daughter, Denise Hansel; parents Harry and Grace (Overlees) Gierhart; siblings Wayne, Iva, and Dean. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter, Rhondeen (Larry) Sluiter; grandchildren Dustin Schuster (Samantha Starbuck), Joshua (Aredelia) Schuster, Noelle (Michael) Pennetta; great-grandchildren Giovanni Pennetta and Taylor Schuster; and many extended family and friends.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life service for both Herb and Mary will take place 11 a.m. Monday, October 27, 2025 at Christ Community Church in Beatrice, NE.

In memory of Mary and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.