Taffy Hastings Obituary

Taffy Sue Hastings, 71, of rural Ogallala, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Taffy was born March 9, 1954, in Oshkosh, Nebraska, to Thomas and Doris (DeCou) Brown. She grew up in Lisco, and graduated from Oshkosh High School with the class of 1972.

Taffy pursued a career in nursing, attending Mid Plains Community College in North Platte in 1973, earning her LPN certification. Her nursing career began at St. Mary's Hospital in North Platte, followed by nearly 49 years at Perkins County Health Services in Grant. Taffy had a caregiver's spirit, which was evident in everything she did. As a patient, seeing Taffy in the halls at the hospital meant you were assured of excellent care with a warmth and genuineness that belong especially to small-town hospitals. Taffy helped countless people over the years, welcoming people into this life, and attending to their needs when life was winding to a close.

She was united in marriage with Victor Hastings in 1975, and they built their life together, raising three children outside of Ogallala. She was a devoted farm wife and mother with a fierce love for her God, her family, the land, and all that it produces. She was an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed spending time in her flower garden. Above all, her greatest title was "Grandma". Taffy modeled God's love to her family with unconditional love and the kind of deep understanding that only comes when love is put into practice. She exemplified a servant's heart by offering help to anyone who needed it.

Taffy was a passionate Husker fan and especially loved supporting Husker volleyball. She was also fully immersed in quilting, and many of her wares were given away as gifts and reminders of her love.

Taffy is survived by her husband, Victor Hastings of rural Ogallala; her children, Tammy (Justin) Hutcheson of Elsie, Christy (Steve) Stone of Fairmont, Minnesota, and Travis Hastings of North Platte; grandchildren, Tomarcus and Asher Hutcheson; Isaac and Brooklyn Stone; her sister, Alice Johnston of Elgin; along with many other relatives and friends.

Taffy was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Doris Brown; her brothers, Thomas Edward Brown, James Lewis Brown, and George Allen Brown; and her sister, Lola Elwin Fisher.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 10:30 am at the Elsie Methodist Church with Pastor Shanon Williams officiating. Interment will be in the Elsie Cemetery.

Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard will honor Taffy's dedication to the nursing profession during the service.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.

A memorial has been established in Taffy's memory for later designation by her family. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.