Funeral Leaflet (photo)

Donald Carl Esch, 81, of Homer, NE passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at his residence.

Donald was born March 7, 1938 near Indianola, Nebraska to Carl and Zelma Pauline (Burton) Esch. He grew up on a farm near Indianola and graduated from Indianola High School. He attended McCook, Nebraska Jr. College and was a graduate of Kearney State College. He taught school at Trumbull, Hooper, and Homer Community Schools in Nebraska. He spent thirty years teaching at West Middle School in Sioux City, Iowa before retiring in June, 1997.

Don was married to Ila (Surber) Heck on June 21, 1967 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Homer, Nebraska. Since that time they resided in Homer.

He was a former member of the Homer Fire Dept., Homer Rescue Squad, Homer Town Board, President of Omaha Valley Cemetery Board, and taught First Aid for the American Red Cross for many years. He also served as a Board Member of Simpco and was a member of Sioux City Retired Teachers. He belonged to Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City where he served as an Elder.

He did substitute teaching at West Middle and West High School after his retirement. He enjoyed seeing his former students and co-workers. He enjoyed traveling, spending time doing family genealogy on his computer, and was an avid gardener.

Survivors include 3 step-children, David Heck, Janelle Lamb, and Jody Rohde; 8 step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; 1 sister-in-law, Rosemary Esch of Arlington, NE; 1 sister, Joyce Esch of Des Moines, WA; 6 nephews and nieces; and several great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Rodney Esch; and a sister, Karen (Dick) Cummins.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, NE.

Donald Carl Esch

March 7, 1938 ~ August 7, 2019

Funeral Service 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 10, 2019, Hope Lutheran Church, South Sioux City, Nebraska. Officiating: Rev. Michael Awe. Music: Accompanist : Jane Krogh; Soloist: Rev. Michael Awe “Just As I Am”. Congregational Hymns: “I’m But A Stranger Here”; “How Great Thou Art”

Honorary Casket Bearers: Steven Esch, Jeffrey Cummins, Mark Cummins, Dylan Baker

Casket Bearers: Dennis Baker, Brandt Rohde, Ray Newman, Ryan Esch, John Wooridge, Gayle Dahlkoetter

Place of Interment: Omaha Valley Cemetery, rural Homer, NE.

Arrangements by Mohr Funeral Home, South Sioux City, Nebraska

~~~Funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Obituaries and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~ FindaGrave # 201935960