Donald R. Lewis December 7, 1930 - April 10, 2012

Donald Roger Lewis, was born December 7, 1930 in Silver Lake Township, Adams, County, Nebraska in the house on Rogers Hill, north of Bladen. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Mary Lanning HealthCare in Hastings, Nebraska.

Don was the only child of Arthur and Edna (Rogers) Lewis. He grew up spending time with his cousin, Bonnie Mae (Lewis) Duval, who became like a sister to him. In 1941, Don and his parents moved from their home north of Bladen to the Lewis homestead east of Bladen.
He spent his elementary years attending school in Adams County and Cloverton School in Webster County. At the age of 16 Don lost his mother to breast cancer and became closer with his maternal grandparents, Emmett and Effie (Denton) Rogers of Bladen. During his youth he assisted his father with the farming and livestock business. In 1948, he graduated from Bladen High School.
Spending his youth caring for cattle in the snow and cold of winter prompted Don to enroll at Hastings College following graduation. Later he transferred to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) College of Agriculture. While enrolled at UNL, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952. After basic training he enrolled in Officers Training School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and received his commission in June 1953 as a Second Lieutenant. While enroute to Korea, the Conflict ended. Don returned to UNL and graduated in the summer of 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics. Following graduation he enrolled in the Master's program and received his degree in Agricultural Economics in 1957.
On June 12, 1955 he married Geneva Berns at the Plainview country church south of Bladen. they lived in Lincoln as he completed his Master's and worked nights as a guard at the Men's Reformatory. Their son, Kurt, was born in Lincoln shortly before Don began employment with the American Crystal Sugar Company as a field man in the Grand Island area. Don and Geneva welcomed their second children, Dianne, while living in Grand Island. American Crystal closed their Grand Island factory while Don was Agricultural Superintendent. Rather than moved north with the company to cold winters, they moved to Bladen to farm full time on their land north of town.
They spent many enjoyable years raising their family and farming the land. In this time, Don's many interests included serving on the school board, following and influencing irrigation issues and attending the children's many sporting events. He attended the Bladen United Methodist Church. In the 1980's he started Exchange Realty & Auction Service in Bladen. He enjoyed participating in theater as the Bladen community revived the Opera House and as his three grandchildren grew up, Don took great pleasure attending their sporting and academic events.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Geneva of Bladen; a step-sister, Laurel Cohn and husband Lee of Grand Island; a son, Kurt Lewis of Denver, Colorado and a daughter, Dianne and husband Pat Danehey of Bladen; 3 grandchildren, Callie Danehey Coleman and husband John of Washington DC, Sean and Keenan Danehey of Bladen, a great grandson Ryker Gallegos of Kearney; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, 10:00 a.m., April 14, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Rev. Steven Marsh officiating. Interment with military graveside honors will be at the East Lawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to service time at the church.
Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970
Phone: 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com