Devon LeAnn (Schulz) Hamner, 65, of Grand Island, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, heartfelt Christian, mentor, and teacher extraordinaire, departed this life for her heavenly home on July 4, 2016 after a spirited year-long battle against cancer.

To honor Devon’s wishes, cremation was chosen. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Caroline Price-Gibson will officiate. All Faiths Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Devon was born May 21, 1951 in Akron, Iowa to Earl and Sanna (Haase) Schulz. She grew up surrounded by love on the family farm near Elk Point, South Dakota, and graduated from Elk Point High School in 1969. Knowing in her heart that she was born to be a Kindergarten teacher, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 1973. She earned her Master’s degree from Doane College, Crete, Nebraska in 1993.

On July 14, 1973, she married Charles Hamner. The couple made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Devon had “the best job in the world,” teaching for 38 years at West Lawn Elementary School. She retired in 2011.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 43 years, Chuck; two sons and daughters-in-law, Nathan and Emily of Snohomish, Washington; Jonathan and Valeria of Grand Island; and one daughter, Kristin, of Piedra Blanca de Bonao, Dominican Republic; five grandchildren: Katherine and Jonah Hamner, Nicolas Toledo Hamner, Sofia and Selva Hamner de Paula.

Also left to cherish her memory are a brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Terry Schulz of Omaha; four aunts: Wilda Abraham and Mary Arlene Schulz of Elk Point, and Wilma Haase and Rose Haase of Sioux City, Iowa; as well as one uncle, Ray Schulz of Vermillion, South Dakota; one niece and two nephews; cousins galore; a wide circle of wonderful friends; and a host of erstwhile students, nearly all of whom know in their hearts that “I was Mrs. Hamner’s favorite.” She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, four aunts and five uncles.

A voracious reader herself, Devon’s greatest pleasure was introducing others—particularly her children and grandchildren—to the skills of reading and the joy of books. As a kindergarten teacher, she sent hundreds of “1,000 book kids” off to first grade, ensuring their success and love of reading throughout their school careers and beyond. She was a contracted writer for the National Council of Teachers of English “Read-Write-Think” website, crafting model lessons to be published for use by other teachers worldwide. Her last crowning achievement was reading and recording scores of her favorite kid-lit books on CDs for each grandchild to treasure.

Devon’s grandchildren will also remember her for “Nana’s projects.” She never failed to have something fun and educational to work on whenever they were together—especially baking gingerbread boys and girls who always ran away and had to be found.

Devon was an active lifelong member of the International Reading Association’s Central Nebraska chapter, the Grand Island Education Association, the Nebraska State Education Association, and the National Education Association, attending five national conventions over the years. She was an involved member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as Sunday School and Bible School teacher, Stephen Ministry leader, deacon, elder, and the first ever female President of the Corporation. Her special joy was participating in her Bible study groups.

In retirement, she drew great satisfaction from service as a volunteer and board member of the Presbyterian Preschool; in 2013 and again in 2014, she received the American Red Cross Preparedness Award for making “Whale Tales” (water safety) and “Scrubby Bear” (hand washing) presentations in dozens of area classrooms.

Socially, Devon enjoyed membership in the Grand Island Area Retired School Personnel, NSEA-R, the Platte Valley Retired Education Association, and PEO.

She enjoyed traveling, corresponding with her far-flung friends, baking, and sharing her faith with her loyal Christian friends, who heartened and sustained her through her final illness. Devon’s lifelong goal was to celebrate the blessings of each day, honoring each as a gift from God.