LaStella JoAn Hanson (Jonas), 38, Gordon, Neb., died on April 14, 2007, in an automobile accident.
LaStella's funeral services are at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, at the United Methodist Church, Gordon, Neb., with the Rev. Jack Abbott officiating.
She was born on May 8, 1968, in Hettinger, the second of four children born to James and Cherylene Jonas.
She attended St. Mary's Catholic Church and Lemmon High School. She excelled not only in her studies, but also on the basketball court and the track field.
After graduating from high school, Stella married David Hanson on Dec. 24, 1986. She then went to nursing school at USD, in Vermillion, S.D. Stella graduated from college in 1994. In that time David and her had four beautiful children, Kesalia, Gus, Melena and Corinda.
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After nursing school Stella and her family moved to Batesland, S.D., where they resided for a short time. The family then moved to Valentine, Neb., where Stella started her nursing career. She worked there for one year, then took a nursing job at the Bennett County Hospital, while living in Eli. She then accepted a position at the Pine Ridge Hospital where she had been employed there for nine years at the time of her death.
Stella loved working in her garden and teaching her children about how growing a garden was a lot like life, she would say "Life is always growing and blooming". Stella was always willing to give a helping hand. She was very proud to be a mother and grandmother. She loved her family with all her heart.
Stella is survived by her three daughters, Kes, Chadron, Neb., Mel, Eli, Neb., and Cori, Gordon, Neb.; her son, Gus, Cheyenne, Wyo.; one grandson, Kingston; her mother, Cherylene, Lemmon, S.D., one sister, LaShawn, Gillette, Wyo.; brother, Jimmy, Gillette, Wyo., and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jim; and brother, Jeff.
A memorial has been established and donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, P.O. Box 366, Gordon, Neb., 69343.
(Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, Gordon, Neb.).
