Thane Francis Hascall died early July 31, 2024 in McAllen, Texas.
He was born on November 20, 1935 in Kearney, Nebraska to Earl and Eva Hascall and grew up in Amherst, Nebraska where he graduated high school in 1953.
He received his Bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Teachers College in Kearny in 1957, and a Masters of Curriculum and Methodology from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis in 1969.
While at Nebraska Teachers’ College, he met Neva Zimmerman during auditions for Arthur Miller’s, “The Crucible”. Both received parts and formed a love and friendship that would last for 64 years until her death in 2018. They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beatrice, Nebraska on August 24, 1957.
Thane spent his first five years teaching in Beatrice, Nebraska where he and Neva were joined by three sons: Phillip, Patrick and Robert. In 1962, they moved to Atlantic, Iowa where he would teach English and Speech until his retirement in 1995 after 33 years. They were joined by a fourth son, Andrew in 1969.
During that time, he also co-directed several high school plays, as well as directed competitive persuasion, interpretation, and debate. His students earned trips to the National Forensic League National Tournaments 23 times.
Thane was an avid Bridge player. While living in Atlantic he and Neva organized and hosted many local Bridge tournaments.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Eva ( Arants) and Earl, his wife and best friend, Neva and his brother, Earl Dean Hascall.
Survivors include sons Phillip (Janet), Patrick, Robert, and Andrew (Heather), step-sisters Michelle (Hascall) Callahan and Patricia (Hascall) Bieber, Grandchildren: Adam (Victoria), Brett, Alexandra, William Francis “Dash”, and Jacob Hascall. Great Grandchildren: Jalin and Jason Hascall, brother: Michael Hascall.
Funeral service will be Saturday, August 24th at 10am at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic with burial in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, August 23rd from 5 to 7pm at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church with a rosary to follow. In lieu of flowers when you run into someone who knew Thane, share a good story or memory of him. There are many. The Family is in charge of arrangements.
