Hastings resident Margaret “Eileen” Way, 79, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Providence Place, Hastings, NE, after a long battle with Parkinsons and Dementia.

Memorial Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11, at Butler Volland Chapel with Pastor Zach Brueningsen officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Trumbull. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. with the family present 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Eileen’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Eileen was born May 16, 1944, as a twin package to Elmo and Margaret Hawthorne in Hastings, NE. She grew up on the family farm near Trumbull, NE. Eileen met her husband on a college choir tour and they were married on November 24, 1963, in Trumbull, NE, and lived in Lincoln, NE where she worked in the State Tax Commissioner’s Office. The family moved back to Trumbull in 1968 to help on the farm while her brother was in Vietnam. When her brother came home Eileen and her family stayed in Trumbull and she became a cook at the Trumbull School; she retired when the school closed. Eileen loved to sing at church and for special occasions, the challenge of cooking for large groups and loved kids. She treated all kids as if they were her own. Eileen was known for her cinnamon rolls to her family and all the kids in the Trumbull School. She was a member of the Trumbull Christian Church, Naamah Temple Daughters of the Nile, and Past Matron of ACACIA Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Melissa Sue; sister-in-law, Judy Hawthorne of Wilburton, OK; and brother-in-law, Larry Schleiger of Greeley, CO.

SURVIVORS:

Husband: Fred Way

Sons & Spouses: Mark & Andrea Way

Brian & Liana Way

Michael & Kylie Way

Grandchildren & Spouse: Zachary Way

Hannah Way

Ryan Way

Tessa Way

Eliza Way

Bailey & Nick Hamburger

Tristan Richman

Tregan Way

Great-Granddaughters: Addison

Skylynn

Brothers & Spouse: Dean & Karen Hawthorne – Hastings, NE

Maurice Hawthorne – Wilburton, OK

Brother-in-law & Spouse: Richard & Karen Way – Lincoln, NE

Sister-in-law: Betty Schleiger – Greeley, CO

Many Nieces & Nephews