John J. "Johnny" Hajny

Johnny Hajny, 95, of Hastings, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, surrounded by the love of his family. Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m., and Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2026, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Hastings, NE, with Father Craig Clinch officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, NE. Memorials may be given to St. Cecilia Catholic Church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Johnny’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page. 

Johnny was born on February 3, 1931, to John J., Sr. & Christina (Petr) Hajny on the family farm just outside Fairfield, Nebraska. He was raised there and learned the values of faith, hard work, humility, and family that would define his life. After proudly serving his country during the Korean War, Johnny returned home to farm the same land where he was raised, dedicating his life to agriculture until his retirement. In 2005, he and his beloved wife, Gerry, moved to Hastings, where they enjoyed their later years together.

On December 29, 1954, Johnny married the love of his life, Gerry. Together they shared 71 years of unwavering love, faith, and devotion, building a home centered on family and caring for one another. Their marriage was a beautiful example of lifelong commitment. Following Gerry’s passing, Johnny entered eternal rest just 18 days later. Though their family grieves losing both parents in such a short time, they find comfort in knowing they are reunited once again.

Johnny was a man of quiet strength and humble character. He found great joy in gardening, tending the land, fishing, creating beautiful stained-glass artwork, and spending countless hours woodworking. Whether nurturing a garden, casting a line into the water, or carefully crafting something with his hands, he found fulfillment in the simple pleasures of life. His skilled hands produced treasured pieces for family and friends, reflecting both his craftsmanship and generous spirit.

Above all, Johnny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He believed in working hard, living honestly, and putting family first. His greatest legacy is not only the life he built but the love, faith, and values he passed on to future generations.

Johnny will be remembered as a man who served his country with honor, faithfully worked the land, cherished his family, and loved one woman with all his heart. His life was a testament to quiet faith, enduring love, and steadfast devotion. Though he will be deeply missed, his family rejoices in the promise that he and Gerry are together again in the eternal peace of God’s loving embrace.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Gerry Hajny, with whom he shared more than seven decades of marriage.

SURVIVORS: 
Children & Spouses: 
Tim Hajny – Fairfield, NE 
Peg & Craig Oswald – Hastings, NE 
Pam & Scott Cernik – Omaha, NE 
Kim & Brian Mason – Omaha, NE
Grandchildren & Spouses: 
Zach & Aaron Oswald – Hastings, NE 
Lucas & Courtney Oswald – Fairfield, NE 
Jesse & Cheryl Oswald – Hastings, NE 
Brieanna & Tyler Huerta – Nashville, TN 
Brandon & Jordan Cernik – Omaha, NE 
Paige Mason – Lincoln, NE 
Jake & Shelby Mason – Minneapolis, MN 
Halle Mason – Minneapolis, MN
Great-Grandchildren:
Oliver, Annabelle, Jack, Henry, Zoey, Johnny, & Clyde Oswald
Ryker & Rylan Huerta
Ophelia Cernik
Elycia, Eliya, & Eastyn Mason