Donald Earl "Red" Schernikau was born on August 4, 1935, in Friend, Nebraska to Earl and Nora Augusta (Noler) Schernikau and passed away on November 9, 2019, in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 5 days.

Red grew up on a farm south of Beaver Crossing where he attended country school District #39 through the 8 ^th grade. He then attended and graduated from Beaver Crossing High School with the Class of 1953. Red began working at Burlington Northern Railroad one day after his 18 ^th birthday. He worked as a carman, crane operator and forklift operator for 42 years before retiring in 1997. On June 4, 1955, Red was united in marriage to Peg Gill at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend and to this union five children, Lori, Mark, Donald Jr., Lisa and Lynn, were born.

The couple made their home in Lincoln for 12 years until they moved back to Beaver Crossing in 1964 to get away from city life. Red was known as the pop guy on Sunday afternoons for the kids who worked at Schernikau Detasseling. He coached baseball in Beaver Crossing for 10 years. Red was awarded the sports Booster of the Year at Centennial High School. He was also awarded the Man of the Year in Beaver Crossing. He served on the Beaver Crossing Volunteer Fire Department. He loved all Husker sporting events and had season tickets to football and baseball. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and especially gardening. Red loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Red was a longtime member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Red was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peg in 2013; four brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Timothy and Marion Gill, Jack Gill, George DeLong and Dick Croissant.

Red is survived by his children and spouses, Lori and Steve Wambold, Beaver Crossing, Mark and Judy Schernikau, Oakland, NE, Don Jr. and Johnna Schernikau, Lee's Summit, MO, Lisa McNeel and friend, James McCarville, Lincoln, Lynn and Matthew Leif, York; nine grandchildren: Abby and Gene Wolf, Anna and Adam Scott, Owen and Chelsea Schernikau, Nikaela and Mark Schroeder, Kinsley Schernikau-Speedlin and Alan Speedlin, Mollie McNeel and fiancé, Trevor Sabo, Derek and Rachel Leif, Ellyn and Ryan Hansen and Clare Leif; 12 great-grandchildren: Zach, Sam and Emily Wolf, Jane Scott, Nora and Carter Schernikau, Maggie and Charlie Schroeder, Eva Lopez, Tyler and Grace Leif and Maxx Hansen; sister, Carolyn DeLong; two brothers, Ron and MaryAnn Schernikau, Dave and Becky Schernikau; sisters-in-law, Mary Croissant, Colleen and John Rotter, Frances Gill; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Red.