Gering, NE on December 23, 2020 when he was called home to be with his Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Don was born in Scottsbluff, NE on July 26, 1927. He was the middle of three children of Claude and Ruth (Hites) Smith.
As a child, Don’s family moved to Phoenix, AZ where he attended school. His family relocated back to the North Platte Valley when he was 15 years old. He worked on the family farmstead near Minatare NE as well as working on several other farms in the area.
Don met his wife Wilma Irene Van Winkle in Minatare. After a very short courtship of only 3 months they were married on September 23, 1947 and their amazing marriage of 73 years has been a shining example for everyone around them. Don and Irene had four children: Max,
Douglas, Michael, and Donna.
Early in their marriage, Don attended South Dakota Bible College in Arlington, South Dakota for
2 years. After that, they moved to Gering, NE and Don worked for Great Western Sugar Factory for over 40 years.
Don and Irene were very active in the Church of Christ and were committed to their calling to love everyone like Jesus. Throughout their marriage they often opened their home to people such as ministers, friends, and other relatives who stayed with them and countless guests who dined at their table.
Don is survived by his devoted and loving wife Irene, his children, Max (Vicki) Smith of Gering,
NE, Douglas (Janice) Smith of Arvada, CO, Michael (Friend Deb Pebley) Smith of Scottsbluff,
NE, Donna (Lance) Cline of Gering, NE, 12 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren and his sister Barb (Arlie) Dalke of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Ruth Smith, and his brother Delbert
Smith.
His funeral service will held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Central Church of Christ in Gering with Pastor Herb Rainey and Pastor Steve Johnston officiating. It will be livestreamed on the Gering Memorial Chapel facebook page. Interment will follow at the West Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 PM on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Gering Memorial Chapel. Memorials may be given to Bluffview Church of Christ or Regional West Hospice. Online condolences and memories may be left on Don’s profile at www.geringchapel.com
