Vanessa L. Perkins

Hastings resident Vanessa L. Perkins, 68, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Mary Lanning Healthcare.

Memorial Services will be at 10:30a.m. Monday, January 19, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Pastor Tim Kilstrom officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery at a later date. There will be no viewing or visitation. 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 Vanessa’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page. Casual dress has been requested by the family as Vanessa loved to be in her comfy clothes.

Vanessa was born February 11, 1957, to Harold Hilger & Violet (Severance) Rowell in Hastings, Nebraska. Vanessa graduated from Hastings High School in 1976 and went on to Nursing School to obtain her LPN. She married Raymond Perkins on June 28, 1975. To this union they were blessed with two sons, Eric and Brett. Vanessa worked at Good Samaritan Village for 18 years and Sutton Nursing Home for 2 years. She loved being a nurse and she was made for that career. Vanessa enjoyed crafting, working outside with her plants and flowers that decorated their front porch, and spending time with her family and friends; especially her grandkids. Vanessa adored her husband of 50 years, Ray. Her faith in God was unwavering and carried her through the last 3 ½ years as she battled cancer and never diminished even in the last moments. She never missed a chance to tell everyone around her about her heavenly Father and how much He loves us.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her parents; Harold Hilger & Violet Rowell; sister Veronica Hamik; brother-in-law, Doug Hamik; and sister-in-law, Diana (Perkins) Medley.

SURVIVORS:
Husband: 
Ray Perkins – Hastings, NE
Children & Spouses: 
Brett & Ryann Perkins – Grand Island, NE
Eric & Jamie Perkins – Kenesaw, NE
Grandchildren:
Jaxon, Anden, Emmalee, Eva, Oaklynn Perkins, Miles and Evelynn Campbell (Eric & Jamie). Izaik and Maverick Perkins (Brett & Ryann).

Vanessa is also survived by sister, Valerie (Les) Hoy of Georgia; and brother, Scott (Silvana) Hilger of Illinois. As well as many other family and friends.