Donald "Don" Clair Carnes

Donald Clair Carnes, of Lincoln, Nebraska, age 89, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, in the company of many loved ones. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, boss, neighbor, and friend. His loss is deeply felt.

Services will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St. in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 10:00 am. The family visitation will take place at 9:00 am before the service.

Don (not “Donny!”) was born on December 7, 1933, on a farm outside Neligh, Nebraska, to Edward Searl and Elsie Christina Carnes. He was the youngest of three children; he maintained until his death that he was the favorite. He attended rural school through the 8th grade and high school in Neligh, where he graduated with the class of 1951.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1953 during the Korean conflict. He attended boot camp at Fort Sill and then was stationed at Fort Chaffee, where he advanced from Private to Specialist 4. After serving in the Army for two years, he went on to study at the Lincoln School of Commerce under the G.I. Bill, earning his degree in Accounting in 1957.

Don married Helen D. Jensen on August 30, 1957, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. They were long-time church members throughout their 65-year marriage. Don served on many committees on the church council. They were blessed with six mostly good children, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. There was never a dull moment running from sporting events, music programs, Boy Scouts, Indian Guides, and Indian Princesses. He tolerated the many pets his children brought home (or that were accidentally birthed in his home). The running joke is that although Don was loved and respected by many people, he failed to earn the respect of Brownie (his in-laws’ dog), who was quite demonstrative in her disapproval.

Don’s early accounting career was with Lincoln Public Schools. He then spent most of his career with the City of Lincoln Finance Department as City Auditor. Don served on nearly every committee and on the Board of Directors for the City-County Employees Credit Union (now LincOne). He retired from the City in December 1995.

After retirement, Don and Helen enjoyed many trips, including Denmark and Hawaii. When they weren’t babysitting for their grandchildren, that is. They were volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Gathering Place.

Don’s survivors include Helen, his loving wife of 65 years; 6 children and spouses:

Dale (Jane) Carnes, Jerry (Silvia) Carnes, Donna (Dave Hughes) Carnes, Roger (Kim) Carnes, Dianne Carnes, Brian (Heidi Calvert) Carnes; 12 Grandchildren: Jon (Ingrid Jans) Carnes, Ted Carnes, Erica (Jake) Comer, Alyssa Carnes, Dylan (Zhikai Yang) Hughes, Evan Hughes, Liam Hughes, Rhys Hughes, Seth (Ashley) Carnes, Jake (Kate) Jurgens, Tria Bivins, and Michael Carnes; 3 great-grandchildren: Jade Jurgens, Kayden Jurgens and Scout Comer.

Preceded in death by brother Keith (Virginia) Carnes, Lois Kuzelka, and grandchildren Donald Carnes and Armando Carnes, Tyler Bivins

Memorials to Don Carnes Memorial Fund for future designation. For more information go to www.lincolnfh.com