Don was born on a farm in Cuming County to Henry and Martha (Suhr) on September 24, 1925 the second the three children. He was baptized November 1, 1925 and confirmed May 28, 1939. Don was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and Great-Great-Grandfather. He loved to rock all the babies! He graduated from Lyons High School in 1944. He married Darlene Nelson on August 22, 1946.
Don and Darlene farmed for 14 years in Cuming County and then moved into “town” (Lyons). He became an area supervisor covering Nebraska and South Dakota for Arbie Feeds. After retirement he developed the recycling program for Lyons and was named Nebraska Recycler of the Year. Don and Darlene moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2004 to be closer to family.
Family members include his sister Shirley Strand of Fremont, NE and his four daughters – Dinisha “Tish” Loomis of Lincoln, Pat (Doug) Witte of Norfolk, NE, Shari (Dale) Peters of Lincoln and Barb (Don) Van Dyke of Tallahassee, FL. Grandchildren – Tyler (Dee Dee) Loomis of Lincoln, Heather (Tim) Heun of Watertown, MN, Megan (Mark) Bewernitz of Jacksonville, FL, Ashley (Erick) Lichte of Vancouver, B.C., Spencer (Heidi) Witte of Norfolk, NE, Nathan (Tonia) Peters of Lincon, Andrew Peters of Lincoln, Matthew (Natalie) Peters of Lincoln and Donald Van Dyke III of Tallahassee, FL. Great-Grandchildren – Nikki (Loomis) and Zack Edwards of Lincoln, Kayla (Loomis) and Harry Oliver of Lincoln, Devin Loomis of Lincoln, Jack Heun of Watertown, MN, Maris Heun of Watertown, MN, Ava Heun of Watertown, MN, Henry Bewernitz of Jacksonville, FL, Amelia Bewernitz of Jacksonville, FL, Alyssa Peters of Lincoln, Makayla Peters of Lincoln, Carson Peters of Lincoln, Logan Peters of Lincoln. Great-Great-Grandchildren – Zaidyn Heise of Lincoln, Owen Martin of Lincoln, Shane Edwards of Lincoln, Zylee Edwards of Lincoln. Many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his wife of 75 years Darlene, his parents, brother Irvin, sister-in-law Donna Wiese, brother-in-law Loell Strand and son-in-law Stan Loomis.
Funeral Service to be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 15, 2024, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street, Lincoln (10). Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., at the Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.