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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Donald E.
Whittemore
January 2, 1940 – November 26, 2018
Obituary
He was born on Jan. 2, 1940, in Rexburg, ID, to Donald Edward Whittemore Sr. and Ruth Marie (Ragan) Whittemore. As the son of an Army Air Corps Engineer, he moved often and gained an appreciation for travel. His family settled in Milford, NE, where he played baseball, basketball, and 8-man football for Milford High School. He graduated in 1958 and went on to attend UNL.
Don met Connie Kay Bjerrum at the Seward County Fair in 1959. They were engaged following Connie's high school graduation. On June 16, 1963, Don and Connie were married at the Seward United Methodist Church. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they travelled to Japan and thoroughly enjoyed touring with their children and grandchildren. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage.
In 1963, Don received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from UNL. He soon began his teaching career at Sprague-Martell, NE. His post-graduate work was divided between Education, Administration and Geology. He also attended several summer science institutes in the mountains and took the family.
In 1965, Don went on to teach at Seward Junior High for 34 years. He taught 8th grade Earth Science, 9th grade Environmental Science, Rockets, Legos, Astronomy and Driver Education. He was the head coach for basketball and track, and the assistant coach for football. In 1999, Don retired from Seward Public Schools. He was well respected as both teacher and coach.
His experience in teaching and coaching was the foundation for his parenting. He welcomed fatherhood when his daughter Kim Ann was born on March 25th, 1967, and again when his son Greg Alan was born on May 8th, 1970. Don and Connie passed on their love of travel and outdoor adventures to their children with camping and fishing trips throughout the U.S.
Don was an avid golfer, dedicated Husker fan, and decent card player. He thoroughly enjoyed those times with close friends and family. He was also a lifetime member of the NEA and the UNL Alumni Association, as well as a member of the NSEA, SEA, Retired NSEA, NE Coaches Association, Seward Country Club, and the United Methodist Church.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sherrill Clukey; and brothers-in-law, Randy Bjerrum and William Marshall.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Connie; daughter, Kim and her husband Joe Brownell of Lincoln, NE; son, Greg and his wife Amy Whittemore of Plano, TX; grandchildren, Bradyn and Clay Brownell, Kendall and Harper Whittemore; sister, Jean Ann Marshall of Salem, OR; sisters-in-law, Linda and her husband Larry Volland, and Leah Bjerrum, all of Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law, Darrell Clukey of Canon Beach, OR; nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
He lived a great life, filled with the love of family and friends.
Services
Family Receiving Friends
Zabka Funeral Home
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Memorial Service
Seward United Methodist Church
Starts at 11:00 am
Donald E. Whittemore's Guestbook
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