Hans Michael Link

Hans Link, longtime Omaha hospital administrator and former President and CEO of Immanuel Hospital and Retirement Villages has passed away at the age of 98. He had a lifelong commitment to the healthcare and the Lutheran Church. Hans was born in Stuttgart, Germany to Ludwig and Frida Link in 1921. Shortly after arriving in the U.S. he began working at Immanuel where he met his wife of 72 years, Josephine Barkley. They were married at First Lutheran Church in Omaha on August 17, 1947. Together they had four children: John Link (Karen Pedderson), Thomas Link (Martha), Barbara Lutt (Jim), and Susan O'Connell (Tom); seven grandchildren: Erick Lutt (Angie), Emily Wilson (Chris), Adam Lutt, Molly Parsons (Chris), Kelsey Nelson (Brad), Hayley Guilkey (Justin), and Whitney O'Connell (Jean-Paul Noel); and nine great-grandchildren: Colin, Elsa, Theo, Everett, Berit, Freddy, Ethan, James, and Ingrid. Starting in Immanuel's finance department, Hans served as comptroller and vice-president in charge of financial matters, prior to becoming president and chief executive officer in 1976. Under Hans's leadership, Immanuel greatly expanded its patient care services. This included ne...[more]

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ervices in cardiology and oncology. After becoming CEO, he led the relocation of Immanuel's Alcoholism Treatment Center and the Immanuel-Fontenelle Home into their new facilities. During his tenure, the Immanuel Village was planned and completed, and the motel was built. Other accomplishments were the development of the Holling Education Center, the Child Development Center, and the Rehabilitation Center. Hans was deeply involved in many local, state, and national health care and hospital organizations. He served as both president and board member of the National Lutheran Hospital Association. He was president of and served on the boards of the Nebraska Hospital Association and the Omaha-Council Bluffs Hospital Association. He was a charter member and president of the Nebraska Chapter, Hospital Financial Management Association. Looking to the future, Hans led Immanuel's development and refinement of the concept of retirement living in a medical center setting with the opening of Immanuel Village in January of 1982. Working with Dan Reeder he led the purchase of the land for Lakeside Hospital and Lakeside Village where he has resided for the past five years. For his efforts, Hans received a Distinguished Service Award from the Immanuel Board in 1982. In 1983 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. In 1987, Hans retired during Immanuel's centennial year. In recognition of his leadership and vision, Immanuel named its headquarters in the Miracle Hills office area the Hans & Jo Link Plaza in 2015. After his retirement, he and Jo took many trips back to Germany and throughout Europe. Hans's love of Rocky Mountain National Park began after his first visit in the 1960s and is now shared by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; as well as sister, Lisa Breeling (Jim); sister-in-law, Rose Link; brother in-law Jim Barkley (Dorothy); sister-in-law Nila Barkley; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He is preceded by his parents; brother, Rudolf Link; sister, Ruth Link; brother-in-law, Roger Barkley; and daughter-in-law, Mary K. Vaade. Celebration of Life Services will be announced at a later date.