Donald Harvey

Donald Eugene Harvey, 74, of Smithfield, Nebraska, died August 16, 2016 in Smithfield, NE.

He was born February 17, 1942 in Granger, MO, son of Albert Lee and Verna Marie (Golden) Harvey.

Don walked many paths, many of them hard. He grew up in Gothenburg and Kearney.  He spent his youth in Nebraska and Utah.  He lived in many other places including California, Iowa, Oklahoma and Florida.  He served his country in the US Army and the Army Reserves; serving in Germany and in Vietnam.  Don worked at many jobs in his lifetime.  He worked as a welder, iron worker and  in construction.  He also did landscaping and was a talented artist.

Don was an avid fisherman.  He was skilled in canning making wine and jellies.  Don was an expert in making traditional native drums and sacred pipes. He adhered to the Lakota spirituality and participated in the Sun Dance and lead Inipi (sweat lodge) ceremonies much of his adult life.  Don felt strongly through his life learning and spiritual beliefs - the importance of caring for all children and elders and those most vulnerable. Don was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and the Native Spiritual communities in Lincoln and Omaha.

Don was married several times. He was married to Shirley Kay and their children are Clyde Harvey and Shirley Shipley. Later he was married to Marla Mann  and their children are Valerie Loftus and John"Leona" Harvey.  He most recently married Deborah Stanton on August 15, 2006.

Survivors include his wife Deborah,  two sons, Clyde (Laura) Harvey of Pigeon Forge, TN, John "Leona" Harvey of Columbus, NE; three daughters, Shirley Ruth (Paul) Shipley of Elwood, KS, Valarie (Denny) Loftus of Omaha, NE, Deane (Cirino) Caniglia of Omaha, NE; two brothers, George (Peggy) Harvey of Columbus, NE, Jim Harvey; his Lakota brother Tatanka; two sisters, Dorothy Andrews of Gothenburg, NE, Sharon (Fred) Engberg of Joplin, MO; 10 grandchildren: Matthew, Sean, Ronny, Erik, Jenna, Charli, Amelia, Andrew, Victoria, and Talon; six great grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews. three step kids Nandini (Drew) Snyder, Erin Gould (Bryant Haremza), Skyler (Catherine) Dixon. two step grand children Traiton and Kalarae Snyder. He loved his whole family dearly; many friends and extended family members.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Roy, Lawrence, Ronnie,  sisters, Beverly Earl and Rosie Rhinehardt.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Monday, August 22, 2016 at 10:00 am.

Interment will follow in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N. Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.