''Doc'' Heusel spent the majority of his career as a family physician living in and serving the people of Hooper, NE and surrounding farms and communities. He lived in his home in Hooper to the age of 98, having been preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mona, who passed away in 2012.
William George was born on February 22, 1923, to Henry and Maude Heusel of Gibbon, NE. He had three brothers, Logan, Gary, and Lorton, and a younger sister, Marilyn (Heusel) Eberspacher, who survives him, residing in Milford, NE. Bill Heusel attended Shelton High School, and through the generosity of a former teacher, was able to attend the University of Nebraska with his brothers, Logan and Gary. Following travels in his youth to India and El Salvador, Bill committed himself to a career in medicine, and received his M.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, followed by a medical internship and general practitioner residency that brought him to Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, where he met Mona Larson, a director of nursing there, and who would become his wife.
Bill and Mona Heusel moved to Hooper in 1962, where Doc set up a family medicine practice in a busy clinic on Main St. They raised four children there, who survive them: Mindy (and James) Kankel, of Bettendorf, IA, Laurie (and Tracy) Nesson, of Lincoln, NE, Jonathan (and Jean Goracke) Heusel, of St. Louis, MO, and Karin Siefkes (and Scott Stevens), of Omaha, NE. In 1971 Doc Heusel and his family moved to Harlingen, TX, where Doc worked to establish Su Clinica Familiar, a medical group practice focused on the underserved Chicano populations in Harlingen and Brownsville. The Heusels returned to Hooper in 1972, and Doc streamlined his medical practice, which eventually moved to a new facility on Fulton St., where it remains today.
The Heusels were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Doc retired from his Hooper medical practice in 1989, but continued to work as a locum tenens, traveling to places like Baudette, MN, Kayenta, AZ, Green Bay, WI, and Barrow AK, echoing earlier medical missions he undertook to Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee, SD to serve Native American communities, for whom Doc held a deep respect and sense of connection throughout his long life.
Bill, Mona and their family enjoyed their lives and friends in the generous and warm community of Hooper immensely. They had twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, many of whom were able to be with Doc at South Haven in his final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper at 3:00 PM on November 18, 2022. Memorials suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper, Hooper Senior Center, or to the family for future designation.
Ludvigsen's Hooper Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Hooper-scribner.com
Condolences(10)
Elvira Hoffman Beckenhauer
Omaha, NE Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Condolences to the family of Dr. Heusel. I remember Dr. Heusel from Immanuel Hospital when he was a resident. I had just graduated from the nursing program at Immanuel and was working in the Newborn Nursery. I had stopped at the lab for something and Dr. Heusel was working that evening. I told him that I wished I knew my blood type. Minutes later, he handed me a card with my name and blood type listed dated 8/21/59. I still have it in my billfold! He was a great resident. I knew Mona as well as she graduated in 1957. And, I was still working in the Newborn Nursery when they had their first daughter at Immanuel! Bill and Mona were a lovely couple.Stan Woerth
Summerville, SC Monday, November 14, 2022 I’ve never met a finer man, I so enjoyed spending 2 months with Bill and his family in early 1975. I really felt like part of the family, eating every lunch and dinner with Bill, Mona, and all the kids. He changed my life for the better in so many ways. I was lucky enough to visit Bill the last time in Summer of this year, and am so glad I got to see he and Laurie again.June Chase-Westphal
Fremont, NE Thursday, November 3, 2022 I only knew Dr. Heusel on a professional level. He was funny, kind to us nurses, great bedside manner. Never got snarky like some of the doctors . He was truly one of the last gentlemen doctors.Gayle Resh
Lincoln, Wednesday, November 2, 2022 What a fabulous man - I used to share historic postcards of the Shelton area with him - and he'd tell me stories of his youth. Plus, his nieces were my best babysitters!Connie (Moeller) Rokusek
Oakland, NE Friday, October 28, 2022 Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. I agree with everyone that he was a very compassionate man. His work ethic was above and beyond. Prayers are with you and extended family at this time of remembrance.Connie & Steve Rokusek
Larry B Moeller
Omaha, NE Thursday, October 27, 2022 What a magnificent man!!! So accomplished in so many areas of Life: Family, Friends, Medicine, the World. What great conversations we shared on so many topics. As a retired M.D. myself, I hail Bill as our professional Gold Standard. He's touched so Many Lives in such a Positive way, including mine. What a Great Man to Celebrate! Heartfelts to his Loved Ones..................Jeanette Groppe
Scribner, NE Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Our sincere condolences to all of you. Your father was and still is the yardstick by which I measure my doctors now. He was kind, compassionate, soft-spoken and wise. He went out of his way to help. My mother stepped off the edge of the sidewalk late at night on Dec. 23. I took her to the emergency room and they decided she had twisted her ankle. The x-ray technician was MAD she had to com in.The next morning your father called and asked me to bring Mom to the office. He had been to the hospital and seen the x-ray and said it was not good. He was not happy with the decision that was made. My mother had a broken foot. He also performed surgery with a surgeon on our daughter and our daughter was paralyzed after for several hours. That was when he really did shine. So much so that I believe that was when she made to decision to become a doctor. We will always be grateful that we had him in our lives. One more thing...his great sense of humor...He and Dr. Nelson from Scribner had a horse and buggy in the Dodge County parade one year. Cracked me up.
He is now with the saints and you will meet again.
Angie Oberg
, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Dear Heusel family,May you have the support you need in this heartache. Your dad and mom were steadfast, supportive, and compassionate. They made a difference in my childhood in one way and in my world as an adult in a different way. Your dad lived embracing every stage of life with the purpose of making a difference in the lives of those around him. I will miss seeing him racing around with his walker faster than I could move without one. He would pause to converse and those conversations were always thought-provoking and encouraging. He has left a legacy of love. You will all be in my prayers as you miss him.
Peace be with you. Angie
Nancy Schroeder
Blair, NE Monday, October 24, 2022 Our prayers to all the Heusel family as you mourn and celebrate Doc's life ..a life well lived.... faithful servant, husband, father,grandfather , son and brother ...Doc and Mona befriended us in Hooper and we enjoyed some local road trips exploring and Mona's wonderful NORWEGIAN coffees. Doc wrote the best letters. Doc helped Joel at Redeemer worship services with his occasional harmonica renditions and his wonderful recollections and theological studies as a Stephen Ministry. He served the Hooper community as lifelong physician and faithful church member....Thanks be to God...they are together again celebrating the Resurrection.Melissa Nickens-Harris
Omaha, NE Monday, October 24, 2022 So sorry for the loss of Bill. Thoughts and prayers to the entire Family.Melissa
Ruth and Kevin
Nickens