Louella M. (Gilbert) Hauptman

Louella M. (Gilbert) Hauptman, age 78 of Nebraska City, NE passed away on Friday; March 28, 2025 at Prestige Care Center in Nebraska City.

Louella Margarette Hauptman was born on July 8, 1946 in Hamburg, IA; the daughter of John J. and Louella M. (Maupin) Gilbert.  She attended school and graduated from the Malvern High School in Malvern, IA with the Class of 1964.

Lou was united in marriage to Daniel D. “Jack” Hauptman on November 26, 1982.  Jack preceded her in death on June 28, 2008.

Jack and Lou owned and operated their own trucking company for many years.  Together, they drove numerous miles hauling various types of freight.  In 1999, she received the Half Million Mile Award for successfully driving a half-million accident free miles.  She also received the Safe Driver Award and Compliance Awards for accident free driving and continuous dedication to D.O.T. compliance. 

She is survived by a son David Willis and wife Jessica of Emerson, IA; step children:  Brenda Garrison of Denver, CO, David Hauptman and wife Lesa of Beatrice, NE, Kathy Prendergast of Omaha, NE and Lori Greenidge (Sonnie) of Nebr. City, NE;  three grandchildren:  David, Elizabeth and Emily; one great-grandchild; 19 step-grandchlldren, 15 step great-grandchildren; a sister Sharlene Jones and husband Robert of Crestview, FL; brothers-in-law:  Ron Hauptman and wife Jean of Nebr. City and Richard Hauptman and wife Judy of Elkhorn, NE; sisters-in-law:  Linda Hauptman and Cheryl Hauptman both of Nebr. City, Nancy Hauptman of Juanita NE; numerous nieces and nephews including care givers Michelle Francis and Michael Wieckhorst families; other family and many friends.

In addition to her husband Jack, she was preceded in death by her brothers:  Harvey Gilbert and Johnny Gilbert; a sister Pauline Hemming; step-granddaughter Elizabeth Hauptman, brothers-in-law Joe Hauptman, Roy Hauptman, Don Hauptman, Dean Hauptman; sisters-in-law:   Stella McGinty, Rhobie Roll and Jean Wieckhorst.

Services will be held Thursday; April 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City with Pastor Jacob Colligan officiating.  The family will greet friends on Thursday (4/17) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Gude Mortuary.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louella M. (Gilbert) Hauptman, please visit our floral store.