Donald graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1957. He was married to Janet Rae Ohmstede of Guide Rock from 1960 until her passing in 1976. Together, they had three children. Donald married Sue Buss of Beatrice in 1977. Together, they welcomed two additional children to the family. Donald was in the grocery business, starting his career at OP Skaggs in the produce department. He then worked at Nash Finch Co. for 37 years as manager and retail counselor of many stores. Before retiring, he worked 9 years at Proctor & Gamble. He was a member of the Capitol City Christian Church, and was a lifelong, avid Huskers and St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Family members include his wife Sue; sons Michael (Lynnette) Sallinger and Mitchel (Becky) Sallinger, all of Lincoln; daughters Michelle Hartford (significant other Scott Barger), Blair, Mindy (Rory) Brown, Grand Island, and Misty (Aaron) Guthrie, Lincoln; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law Donna Buss, Beatrice; sister-in-law Ruth Sallinger, Grand Island; brothers-in-law Jerald Buss, Lincoln, Frank (Lynn) Buss, Gretna, Mark (Tonia) Buss, Beatrice, and Garold (Barb) Ohmstede, Guide Rock; nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, first wife Janet, brother William, sister Martha Penner, father-in-law Ralph Buss, sister-in-law Judy Buss, and son-in-law Kevin Hartford.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday (2-5-22) Capitol City Christian Church, 7800 Holdrege Street. Masks are required.
Visitation 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Friday with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street.
Memorials to Type 1 Diabetes Research c/o Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and Parkinson’s Research Association.