Richard W. Hastreiter, 90, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at his home in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM, at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Fr. Joe Miksch celebrating the Mass.  Interment will be in St. Leonard Catholic Cemetery, Madison, Nebraska, around 12:30 that afternoon.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggest to those of the family or donor's choice.

Richard Hastreiter, son of Joe and Ida (Ward) Hastreiter, was born on a hot day, June 30, 1935 at home on the farm NW of Humphrey, Nebraska.  He was the 6th child of Joe & Ida. Richard's 5 siblings that greeted him that day were Clarence, Rose, George, Joan, & Mary.  Since Mary's passing in 2020, He was the only remaining survivor in his family of 8: they were all reunited and welcomed him home on Christmas Eve.

Richard lost his dad at age 15 (75 years ago). He loved farming with his family until he went into the army in 1956, starting his service in Ft Monmouth, New Jersey for Photo Lab training and then onto Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas where he finished out his 2 years of service in the Photo Lab developing & enlarging photos for Army training. In 1958 he returned to farming in Humphrey.  Rich's friend, John McDermott, introduced his cousin Carol Jacobi to Rich in 1964. Rich & Carol were married February 19, 1966, at St. Leonard's Catholic Church in Madison, Nebraska. The couple lived and farmed southwest of Battle Creek, Nebraska, until retiring to Norfolk, Nebraska in 2003. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage until Carol's passing Sept 2019.

Richard tended to his family, faith & farm, making sure to "put the tractor in the shed" to attend events in support of his kids/grandkids.  He was known & loved as Grandpa Farm to James Adelman, CeCe Hastreiter (& Aaron Glass), Will Hastreiter, Ben Hastreiter, Caden Keller, Anna Keller, & Evie Keller.

He was a strong advocate for his children and grandchildren to maximize their education (especially if you don't want to walk beans for a living). His proud legacy was his children & grandchildren, and to witness their successes.

After his wife's passing in 2019, he moved to Columbus to be closer to family, living with daughter Deb & son-in-law Bob. He was happiest spending time with family & friends.  He was easy going, loved old movies/Westerns, good food-his only request was to make sure everyone got lunch after his funeral.  He especially loved to laugh and most of all to make people laugh.

Richard is survived by:
Daughter - Deb & Bob Adelman Columbus, NE
Son - Mark Hastreiter Lincoln, NE
Daughter - Jill & Troy Keller Grand Island, NE
Brother-in-law Jerry & LaVonne Jacobi