Donald "Don" P. Wassenberg

Donald P. “Don” Wassenberg, 83, of Marysville, KS passed away August 4, 2024, at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

The visitation was Wednesday, August 7, from 1-5 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.

A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Marysville.

A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 8, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. Father Quentin Schmitz officiated. The musicians were Rosemary Forst, Roberta Temeyer, and Ron and Fran Grauer. Music included “Here I am Lord,” “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” “You are Mine”, “On Eagles Wings,” “Pastures of the Lord” and “How Great Thou Art.”

The honorary pallbearers were Evan Franco, Lyle Franco, Matt Beckman, Nathan Parmentier, Tommy Brinegar, Caden Brinegar, Dusty Bonar and Derek Crawford.

The burial followed in the church cemetery.

Don was born on November 8, 1940, at Marysville to the late Christopher and Gertrude (Claeys) Wassenberg. In 1958, he graduated from Axtell High School and sold radio advertising for KNDY until he began his career as a locomotive engineer with Union Pacific Railroad.

In 1965, he married Jolene Beckman, and they had one son, Donald. On November 6, 1969, he married Leah Jean Rickert at Marysville and together they made Marshall County their home for the next 50 years.

After retirement from the Railroad, Don spent his years exploring the great outdoors. He enjoyed racoon hunting with his buddies, exploring nature and working around his home in the country. He loved spending time with his grandkids and taught them a variety of things he probably shouldn’t have!

After Don and Leah moved from the country to Marysville, he loved walking through the American Legion ballfield and visiting with everyone at the ball games. Don never knew a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leah on August 19, 2020; sister, Patricia Livingston; brother, James “Mike” Wassenberg; son-in-law, Jason Brinegar.

Survivors include his four children: Kimberly Beckman and Elizabeth Brinegar, both of Marysville; Donald (Angie) Wassenberg, Merced, CA, and Jeffrey (Leslie Flaws) Wassenberg, Edina, MN; two brothers, David (Kathy) Wassenberg, Salina KS, and Chuck (Gayle) Wassenberg, Reno NV; nine grandchildren: Tara (Derek) Crawford, Matt Beckman, Danielle (Dusty) Bonar, Nathan Parmentier, Tommy Brinegar, Ashlinne Brinegar, Caden Brinegar, Evan Franco, and Lyle Franco; and three great grandchildren: Braxton and Kynslee Crawford, and Peyton Turner.

A memorial fund has been established for the American Legion SMN&R Post 163 Baseball Program. Contributions may be sent in the care of Kinsley Mortuary.