August 3, 1934 - February 10, 2021

Born in York, NE, on August 3, 1934, to parents, Joe and Helen Hanna. He graduated from Omaha Benson High School in 1952. He married Sharon Lee Erickson, his High School sweetheart, in 1955.

He was very proud of his family including his children, Sheryl Rosenbaum (Greg), and Mark Hanna (Nicole); his grandchildren, James Rosenbaum (Katie), Stevi Kountze (Tyler), Dani Rosenbaum, and Gaby Montenegro; and great-grandchildren: Hunter, Jax, Parker, Lyla, Camden, and Graham. Sharon, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life.

He also thanked the Lord for the privilege given him to serve children and youth, the church he loved, and to have had a career that was both challenging and inspiring.

He earned a BS Ed and MS ED from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his ED D from the University at Nebraska at Lincoln.

Joe began his career as a mathematics teacher in the Omaha Public Schools. Over his 28 ½ years of service in the OPS, he served in several administrative positions: including the Director of Curriculum K-12, Associate Superintendent, Secretary to the Board, Administrator of the Retirement System, and Chief Financial Officer. His career also included teaching in the college of Education at UNO and serving as President of Graceland University.

Dr. Hanna also served his Church, the Community of Christ, as a pastor of the local congregation, as President of the Region covering congregations in Nebraska and Iowa, and on the Investment Committee of the World Church. In 1996, both Joe and Sharon received the International Award for Service in Youth given by the World Church.

Some of the distinctions received by Dr. Hanna over his 60 some years of service, to both education and his church, included the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award (University of Nebraska Omaha), Benson H.S. Hall of Fame, Distinguished Educator of the Year (Nebraska Schoolmasters), plus numerous honorary memberships of both local and national organizations.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Sunday, February 14th, from 1pm to 3pm at West Center Chapel.

SERVICES: Monday, February 15th, at 1pm, West Center Chapel.

INTERMENT: Evergreen Memorial Park. Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view a live broadcast of the service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the "View Live Service" button on the home page.

HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER

West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd.

402-391-3900 | www.heafeyheafey.com