Donald Cook

Donald Wayne Cook, 81, of Gothenburg died Monday, February 4, 2013, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

Don was born to Wayne Stuart and Olive Alice (Benson) Cook on July 10, 1931 at Cozad, Nebraska. He attended and graduated from Cozad High School in 1949. He then attended a trade school in Omaha for one year and went to work as a railroad depot employee June 2, 1950. On March 13, 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for a four-year stint spending time in California, Mississippi, Adak in the Aleutian Islands, Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska and New Mexico. He was honorably discharged at Albuquerque, NM March 12, 1956. Don then resumed with the Union Pacific at Gothenburg and retired after 42 years as Telegraph Operator and Freight Agent.

On Sept. 12, 1954 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gothenburg, he was united in marriage with Alverda L. Sommer and to this union two daughters were born: Debra and Sandra. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to coffee with old friends, local sports, and especially Nebraska football, belonging to the Touchdown Club and was a charter member of the Husker Power Club. Don served on various local committees and with Dawson County Selective Service System until 1975. He was a member of the American Legion Post #64 at Gothenburg and was a member of the American Lutheran Church.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marion Eilers, brother-in-law Richard Eilers, and nephew Brian Eilers. He is survived by his wife, Alverda, two daughters, Debra (David) Clark and Sandra (Lonnie) Warner, a granddaughter, Ashley Clark (Rob) Micek of Grand Island, three grandsons, Jed Clark of Aurora, Colorado, Adam Warner of Kearney, and Caleb (Stephanie) Warner and their daughter, Dakota, of Gothenburg. He is also survived by two nephews, David Eilers of Overton, Mark Eilers of Seward, and a sister-in-law, Arleen Gifford, of North Platte.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Wednesday, February 06, 2013 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm with the family present and Thursday, February 07, 2013 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at American Lutheran Church, February 8, 2013 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Tom Wilson and Lonna Grabenstein PMA officiating.

Interment will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the American Lutheran Church, 1512 Avenue G, Gothenburg, NE 69138; , Meals on Wheels, 410 20th Street, Gothenburg, NE 69138; or Donor's Choice.