Lea Gail (Hansen) Unger

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Jan. 13, 1944 - March 30, 2021

HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Lea Gail (Hansen) Unger, age 77, of Hayes Center, passed away Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha after a short illness.

Lea was born on Jan. 13, 1944, in Hayes Center to parents, Hans Peter and Helen Mae (Barnes) Hansen. She was the fourth of five children and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1963.

Lea married her high school sweetheart, Fred Unger, on Feb. 2, 1964. The couple were blessed with three children: Trena, Troy, and Fred Cory.

She was employed at Nelms grocery store in Hayes Center for eight years. Lea was a member of the Harmony Club for many years, in addition to being a member of the NCIP Committee in Hayes Center for three years, when they won first place in the State of Nebraska for towns that were equal in size of Hayes Center. Lea was the keystone of the family who loved her large yard, vegetable garden and numerous flower beds. She found immense joy in tending to her peacocks, deer, and cats, as well as impromptu trips to explore Estes Park, Colo. Lea’s innate ability to make friends everywhere she went, including her last days in the hospital, is what made her so genuine and special. A total giver who would rarely ask for anything for herself, she had that infectious smile and joyous giggle to warm any occasion and make others feel special and welcome. This amazing wife, mother, and grandmother enjoyed the pretty things, the smallest of things, the importance of everything and the lifting up of everyone she touched.

Lea is survived by her husband, Fred, of 57 years; daughter, Trena Leigh Rice; son, Troy Vaughn Unger; son, Fred Cory Unger; grandchildren, Tony Rice, Connor Unger, Hannah Unger, and Nathan Unger; brother, Delbert Hansen of Brule, Neb.; sister, Doris Messersmith of McCook, Neb.; sister, Shirley Ashley and husband, Bill, of Culbertson, Neb.; and also numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Lea was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dean Hansen and his wife, Shirley; sister-in-law, Ruth Hansen; and brother-in-law, Darrel Messersmith.

Visitation will be on Saturday afternoon, April 3, 2021, from 5-7 p.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, April 5, 2021, at the Union Congregational Church in Hayes Center with Pastor Jean Miller officiating. Interment will follow services in the Hayes Center Cemetery, Hayes Center. Memorials are suggested to the family of Lea Unger for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.