Don taught in Elm Creek, Nebraska, where the couple lived, and coached Varsity boys’ basketball for one year. They then left Elm Creek and moved to Holdrege, where Don was part Owner and Operator of ‘The Sport Spot’ for four years. At that time they sold the sporting goods store and Don transitioned to selling investments and insurance, which didn’t really float Don’s boat! Then Don decided he wanted to own his own carpet cleaning business, which became ‘Care Cleaning Systems’ with ALL of it’s entities. These included carpet sales, satellites, golf proshop and racquetball & tennis racquet restringing.
As Don and Judy built a home and a family, Don spent a lot of time during his early adult years continuing his high school passions playing basketball, softball and golf. He also coached baseball and refereed basketball and football for many years. As the couple’s two boys, Tony and Chip, grew, they would also enjoy being the bat boy or caddy for Dad and his teams. The boys learned about teamwork and sportsmanship from Don and they showed it proudly.
DON WAS A HUSKER FANATIC!!! He loved all things Huskers. His latest thrill was the recent successes of Husker Basketball, Softball & Baseball! Good luck in the post season on the Diamond!
Don became a Mason, as well as a Shriner, just as both his Father and Judy’s Father had accomplished before him.
On Don’s 37th birthday he had his very first back surgery, with many more extensive surgeries to follow in the coming years. With that said, Don would retire at the age of 56 years and continue to fight back pain and further problems until he passed. He really didn’t like to show that he was hurting, as he saw that as a great weakness.
In his retirement, Don & Judy moved to Lincoln to be closer to Chip and to their grandkids. Don also enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s events when his health cooperated.
Don is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Chip Tyler (Steph Nelson); brother Terry (Robin) Shield; sisters-in-law Kip (Neil) Johnson and Teddy (Kurt) Lundberg; grandchildren, Preston Rath, Xander Shield and Natalie Shield; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including Scott and Joe Farwell. He is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Dayle and Phyllis Eckwall, son Anthony Terrence, sister-in-law Jody Malm and brother-in-law Bill Malm.
May 15th (Friday): A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Boulevard, Lincoln, NE 68520, with a reception following the service.
May 22nd (Friday): An inurnment will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. in Holdrege, NE 68949. A reception will follow at the United Methodist Church in Holdrege, 604 West Avenue.
Memorials to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church or to the Shield Family for future designation.