Addison Shelby Hestermann, beloved daughter of Scott and Jamie (Nelson) Hestermann and sister of Isaac and Tripp Hestermann became an angel in Heaven on Monday, March 26, 2012.

Addison was born on March 28, 2002, in Omaha and spent the initial years of her life in Gretna, Nebraska. Two years ago she moved with her family to Syracuse, Nebraska where she found her true home. Addison was lovingly welcomed into the community by numerous friends. She was a lively spirit with an infectious smile who was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She was a friend to all, especially animals. She spent much of her time raising money for a cause near and dear to her heart: the Capitol Humane Society. Last summer she and a friend held numerous lemonade stands and spa days to raise money for the Humane Society. Her 2012 goal was to raise $200 and she planned to ask her friends to donate a variety of items for the animals in lieu of birthday gifts.

Addison played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She received a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia on Tuesday, March 20, and when the doctor asked the family if anyone had any questions, Addison had just one: Can I still play sports? She had recently started taking piano lessons and was picking it up quickly. Many summers were spent at her grandparents' cabin where she enjoyed swimming, jet-skiing, taking in the occasional sunset, and, of course, giggling with her brothers.

She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing. She is survived by her parents and brothers, grandparents, Ken and Julie Nelson of Kearney, Orlin and Joyce Moss of Burr, and Dennis and Susan Hestermann of Tecumseh; great-grandmother Ruth Reynolds of Omaha; aunts, uncles and cousins: Brock Nelson and Virginia Chavez of Phoenix, Arizona, Dean and Cheryl Hestermann, Colson, Reagan, Riley, and Collier of Firth, and Cindy Hestermann of Gretna. She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents Floyd Reynolds, Kenneth and Irene Nelson, Harvey and Annetta Giesmann, and Ben and Gertrude Hestermann. She has many extended family members and friends who will miss her smiling face, kind heart, and everything about her.

Funeral Services will be on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Syracuse, NE. Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday March 28 from noon until 7 P.M. At 7 P.M. there will be a prayer service all at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church.

The family suggests memorials to the Humane Society or the Tanzania House.

Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home Syracuse, NE (402)269-2441