John J. Hahn, 88, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Cottonwood Senior Living in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 20 at 11:00 AM, at Federated Church in Columbus with Rev. Dr. Edward Yang officiating. Family interment with military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard, will be in Clarkson National Cemetery, Clarkson, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Monday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to: Masonic Home for Children, Fremont, NE; Nebraska 4-H Program (Rawhide Wranglers); Boy Scout Troop 212, Columbus, NE, for camp scholarships; or to the Federated Church Music Ministry.

John was born March 25, 1938, in Fremont, NE, to Clarence J. and Lillian A. (Bukacek) Hahn. He was the second of three siblings. John attended elementary schools in Omaha, NE, Cheyenne, WY, and Clarkson, NE; graduating in 1956 from Clarkson High School. John enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1956 with an Honorable Discharge in September 1960, having been stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, as well as overseas in Iwo Jima and Korea. Upon returning to Nebraska, John entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He was employed by Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District in North Platte, NE from 1964 until 1974 when he transferred to Columbus, NE to work at the newly formed Nebraska Public Power District. He was employed as an Engineer Manager, until his retirement in 1996 after 32 years of employment.

On July 19, 1959, John married Anita R. Duffek in Clarkson, NE. To this union, three children were born, son Gene in 1962, son Chet in 1965, and daughter Lori in 1967. As a member of the North Platte Presbyterian Church and then Federated Church in Columbus, John sang in the church choirs for many years. His love of music also led to his membership in the famous men’s singing group the Apollo Club in Columbus, as well as the Men of Song Choir in Mesa, AZ. At Federated he was also active with Boy Scout Troop 212, he was a Church Youth Leader, and was an ordained Elder. He served as President of the National Association of Professional Engineers, was a Master Mason in Masonic Lodge 323, and was a Road Runner in the Shriners organization. In retirement, John and Anita continued their love of square dancing, not only in Nebraska clubs, but also the 26 winters they enjoyed in Arizona. John enjoyed many fishing trips with family and friends and he joined Anita in delivering Meals on Wheels.

John is survived by: Wife, Anita Hahn of Columbus; Son, Gene (Cola) Hahn of Columbus, NE; Son, Chet (Linda) Hahn of Collierville, TN; and Daughter, Lori King of Elkhorn, NE
Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren: Kayli King of Elkhorn, NE; Garrett Hahn of Monroe, NE; Matthew (Kaitlyn) King and children Camden and Ella of Elkhorn, NE; Connor (Bethany) Hahn of Omaha, NE; and Hannah King of Springfield, SD
Niece, Sharon Lee of McCoy, CO and sister-in-law, Suzie Hahn of Colorado

John was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence J. and Lillian A. Hahn; brother, Thomas C. Hahn and sister-in-law, Patricia Hahn; brother David D. Hahn; parents-in-law Paul S. and Anna C. Duffek, and brother-in-law Warren Rushton