Don Roberts

Donald “Don” Harold Roberts, of McCook, NE, was reunited with our Lord and Savior on December 20, 2025, surrounded by family at Highland Park Retirement Community, McCook, NE, at the age of 91.

Don was born August 16th, 1934, in McCook, to parents William Harold and Anna (Hackenkamp) Roberts. He grew up with three sisters and graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1952. His High School Diploma states that he completed the Vocational Agriculture course of study.

He met Agnes “Aggie” L. Sulzman in McCook, after she moved from Kansas to work at McCook Public Power. The two were married on November 9, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They celebrated 68 years of marriage this past November. They raised five children together on the family farm. They also welcomed several nephews and nieces in the summertime to work on the farm and learn the value of hard work and responsibility.

Don served in the Nebraska National Guard for 3 years. During this time, he earned his qualification of “Sharpshooter” with a M-1 Rifle with the score of 159. He was honorably discharged on January 26, 1959.

Don was a lifelong farmer, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. He was pleased and proud when his son William (Bill) chose to join him in running the farm. Don took pride in his profession, and was a true steward of the land. He was a generous neighbor, and starting out, he worked together with the other young farmers who lived in his area. He became involved early-on in soil and water conservation efforts, and eventually was elected to serve as a Director of the Middle Republican National Resource District, from 1972-2008.

Don was a life-long member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was active in First Friday’s Prayer Group and was a fourth-degree knight and former Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Most recently, he would lead the Rosary before the 9:00 mass. Don also served as an acolyte for many years.

Don enjoyed playing cards and board games with family and friends and dancing whenever an opportunity presented itself. He would show off his smooth moves at many family weddings. When he and Aggie were younger, they were members of the Family Frolics square dancing Club. His family was always a priority. He was involved with his children and grandchildren in their various activities including 4-H, FFA, and the wide range of sports that they would participate in. He would often be in the stands proudly cheering them on, traveling across the state to attend their events. Don loved and was loved by countless pets and farm animals and had a well-known appreciation for sweets of all kinds.

Don will be remembered as a hard-working, religious and spiritual man, of unmatched integrity, with a great sense of humor. He led by example of how to be a good person in this world.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Thomas, sister Everlyn Truck, son-in-law Stephen Conder, Brother-in-law Captain Richard T. Thomas, and granddaughter Amy Jo Stone.

Those who are left to celebrate Don’s life are his wife Aggie Robets of McCook, NE; children, Loretta Conder of Raton, NM, Donna Stone of McCook, NE, William Roberts of McCook, NE, Richard (Diane) Roberts of Alamosa, CO, and Jim (Carrie) Roberts of McCook, NE; sister Marion Thomas of Pensacola, FL and twin sister Dorothy Kiel of Kansas City, MO; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Memorial Contributions, in lieu of flowers, are to be designated to the St. Patrick Catholic School PO Box 1040, McCook, NE 69001; or McCook Humane Society PO Box 13, McCook, NE 69001.