Donald Robert Holmberg

Donald Robert Holmberg, age 93 of Lincoln, went to be with the Lord on May 1, 2023. He was born to Swedish immigrants Einar and Ida (Johnson) Holmberg on October 9, 1929 near Valparaiso. In early years the family moved to Hamilton County where they enjoyed farm life and country school and church with many friends.

Don graduated from Phillips High School in 1947 and ran in the State track meet at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. After working on construction projects for several years, he served in the United States Air Force as a crew chief for four years, primarily at Wethersfield Air Force Base in England. He later held a private pilot’s license.

He was united in marriage to Marilyn E. Gustafson on June 10, 1956, in Eaton, Colorado. To this union four children would be born.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1958 with a degree in agriculture, Don taught science and vocational agriculture at schools in Sargent, Loup City, and Columbus. He received a masters degree from Colorado State University in 1962 and an endorsement in Educational Administration in 1973 from the University of Nebraska.

In 1972 the family moved to Stromsburg where Don was superintendent of schools until retiring in 1995. In retirement he enjoyed travel, minor roles in Stromsburg Community theater, driving for Busy Wheels and playing dominoes with friends at the Midwest Covenant Home and the Stromsburg Senior Center.

Don was a long-time fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Stromsburg Vikings, and Cross County Cougars. He also liked golf including card golf and keeping up with his extended family through photos, articles, and WhatsApp videos.

He was involved with the Evangelical Free Church for many years in various ministries, missionary support, annual conferences, and with Polk Bible Camp and Timberlake Ranch Camp.

Don and Marilyn moved to Gateway Vista in Lincoln in 2015 where they loved interacting with friends and with the caring staff and the Guardian Angels caregivers. Marilyn passed in May of 2019. He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norman, Gerald, and Marvin and by sisters Ingred Hedlund, Margit Wagner, and Kathryn Holmberg.

Survivors include children Alan (Diane) Holmberg of Eaton, Colorado, Karen (Mark) Winn of York, Maine, Daniel (Debra) Holmberg of Lincoln and Valerie (Joe) Bantz of Waukee, Iowa. Also ten grandchildren, Andrew (Magen) Stewart, David Stewart, Katie Winn, Anna (John) Hermanson, Eric Holmberg, Peter Holmberg, Virginia (Aaron) Michael, Natalie (Alex) Ricke, Salena Bantz, and Heidi Bantz as well as three great-grandchildren, Henning and Viteen Stewart and Clara Ricke. All of these he loved and touched deeply.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monroe Evangelical Free Church near Aurora. Inurnment will be in the Monroe Free Church Cemetery, Phillips, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Holmberg Memorial Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Karen Winn, 9 Sohier Park Road, York, ME 03909. Dubas Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com

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