Donald Dean Sterup, age 90, of Osceola, Nebraska, passed away on October 17, 2025, surrounded by his family at Annie Jeffrey Memorial Hospital.

Don was born on September 16, 1935, in the home of his parents, Victor and Mary (Carter) Sterup, near Shelby, Nebraska. He attended primary school in District 14 & 63 Country Schools. A proud graduate of Osceola High School, Class of 1953, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge in 1956. Following his service, Don moved to California, attended community college, and worked for Shell Oil Company. In 1958, he returned to his favorite place—Osceola. On September 26, 1959, Don married his sweetheart, Marlene Meister, and together they made their home on a farm southwest of Osceola, where he lived for the rest of his life. Alongside farming and livestock feeding, Don also worked part-time for the ASC office, measuring grain bins. He was an innovator in local agriculture—starting Polk County’s first poultry confinement operation and helping establish the county’s only wind turbine.

Don believed deeply in community and service. He served on the boards of directors for the Farmers Co-op, the ASC Office, and Ryan Hill Country Club. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #91, a faithful parishioner of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Don will be remembered for his gentle spirit, calm presence, and ability to see the best in everyone. His unwavering dedication to family and community was matched only by his kindness and humor. A devoted husband, father & grandfather, Don rarely missed an activity. He could be found in the bleachers cheering at ball games; in the audience of dance recitals, plays, and speech meets; or behind the wheel of the Osceola One-Act Play trailer—which he faithfully drove to every competition for eight years.

Don cherished summer fishing trips to Minnesota and winter trips to Texas, where he reconnected each year with friends from across the country. After retiring, he took great joy in his “full-time job” of playing pool with his buddies in the mornings and golf in the afternoons—switching to Sheepshead when the weather turned cold. Don played his 18 holes of golf less than a week before he passed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene, and their children: Darla (Jim) Winslow of Osceola; Doug (Mary) Sterup of Hastings; Darin Sterup of Osceola; and Donald (Stephanie) Sterup of Osceola. His grandchildren and honorary pallbearers include Jena (Jarod) Ockander of Osceola; Matthew (Emily) Sterup of Lincoln; Shelby (Zac) Czarnick of Genoa; Zach Sterup of Ceresco; Morgan (Derreck) Langer of Shelby; Cierra (Garrett) Bradford of Statesville, North Carolina; Garrett (Cassandra) Fisher of Osceola; Creighton Sterup of Osceola; Sydney Sterup of Omaha; and Kyle and Sadie Sterup of Osceola. Don was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Daphne and Ivy Mentink; Laurel (Chase) Carlson; Lydia Ockander; Analeis, Emma, and Klara Czarnick; Cooper Langer; Ansley Bradford; and Hudson Fisher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Mary Sterup; siblings Bob and Doreen Sterup, Gene and Mary Sterup, and Lois (Clifford) Henderson; and daughter-in-law Michelle Sterup.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Ferrer Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22nd at St. Vincent’s Ferrer Catholic Church in Osceola with Father Allan Phan officiating. Organist will be Debbie Girard. Vocalists will be Roy Houdershelt and Rita Houdersheldt. Musical selections will be “How Great Thou Art”, “Amazing Grace”, “Here I Am Lord”, “Song Of Farewell”, and “On Eagle’s Wings.”  Honorary pallbearers will be Jena Ockander, Matthew Sterup, Shelby Czarnick, Zach Sterup, Morgan Langer, Cierra Bradford, Garrett Fisher, Sidney Sterup, Creighton Sterup, Kyle Sterup and Sadie Sterup. Burial with Military Honors by Osceola American Legion will follow at the Osceola Cemetery with lunch served afterward in the church hall. Memorials are suggested to the family for designation at a later date.

Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com