Donald L. Deselms

Donald L. Deselms, 82, died Wednesday, March 14th at the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Don was born January 18th, 1930 in Edison, Nebraska to Leo and Jennie (Stevens) Deselms. He graduated from Oxford High School, Oxford, Nebraska in 1948 and married Nancy Nissen in 1952. He attended Kearney State College, in Kearney, Nebraska and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1951. January, 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The remainder of his enlistment was served at Johnson’s Island. He was discharged in September 1954 and began his teaching career at Kearney High School in Kearney, Nebraska. He later earned a Masters Degree from Kearney State College and then earned his Doctorate in Education from the Univeristy of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In 1963 Don and Nancy moved to Chadron and Don began his career at Chadron State College. While at CSC he held many administrative positions and retired in 1992. Don was active in his community and was a member of the Shriners, the Samaritan Masonic Lodge, the Scottish and York rites, and the Order of Eastern Star. He was a past member of the Elks Lodge in Chadron and a Rotarian, serving as the District Governor and had two Paul Harris Fellowships. He was awarded the Legion of Merit in DeMolay. Don also enjoyed volunteering and served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for many years. He is survived by his wife Nancy of Chadron, Nebraska, sons Bert Deselms of Ottawa, Kansas and Jay (Deb) Deselms of Platteville, Colorado and daughter Cyd (Rod) Hanson of Chappell, Nebraska, grandchildren, Jessica Deselms of Mankato, Minnesota, Sarah Deselms of Omaha, Nebraska, Samantha Hanson of Plymouth, Nebraska, Alex Deselms of Greeley, Colorado, Luke Hanson of Chappell, Nebraska, two great-grand daughters, Maddison Deselms and Kherington Pfingsten, brothers Frank Deselms, Derald Deselms and Harold (Barb) Deselms, sister Arlene Pleas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 19th at Grace Episcopal Church in Chadron, Nebraska. Cremation was at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory and inurnment will be in Grace Episcopal Church Columbarium. Memorials have been established to Grace Episcopal Church and Salvation Army.