Donald Louis Robidoux

View Funeral Webcast Donald Louis Robidoux

a.k.a Pa Bear, Dad, Donny, Uncle Don, Cousin, Coach, Ref., Ump.

Donald Louis Robidoux "Shunta" (Wolf) died peacefully on August 6, 2025 in Falls City, Nebraska at Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation where he had resided with excellent care since April, 2023. He was 81 years old.

Don was born in Falls City, Nebraska on September 10, 1943, to John and Lyla (Chandler) Robidoux. Don was an enrolled member of the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska with the Ioway name Shunta "Wolf". Don grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from Omaha Tech High School. He enjoyed spending summers on the Ioway reservation, White Cloud, and Hiawatha with his grandmother Sarah Whitecloud Robidoux and many cousins.

Don entered the Air Force directly out of high school, and he was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1968. He served as a cook in the Air Force, and he used those skills later as food service director at college cafeterias in Texas and California.

Don married Jaynell Franklin on April 28, 1967, in San Angelo, Texas, where he was stationed with the Air Force. Don and Jaynell celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary together just days before she passed on to her heavenly home on May 8, 2024. They resided in rural Hiawatha for decades before moving to town in 2014.

Don taught his children the importance of spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors. He loved to tell stories that made people laugh. After settling his family in Hiawatha in 1976, Don worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United Tribes, and Flair Fold. He also served the Ioway Tribe in many capacities and continued the legacy of togetherness and community in many ways.

Don coached many seasons of youth baseball and softball, and he umpired hundreds of baseball and softball games. Don bowled in several men's leagues and with Jaynell in mixed leagues, and he coached youth bowling.

Don enthusiastically attended the sporting events of his children, grandchildren, and the Redskins/Red Hawks. He often went to the casino and bingo hall to play and laugh with Jaynell and other family members. Don loved to share fresh produce from the garden, and he made the best enchiladas ever! He was an enthusiastic fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and St. Louis Cardinals, and there were plenty of years when he watched every one of the Cardinals' 162 games!

Survivors include brothers Vaughn (Jean) Robidoux and Jim - the OG - (Judy) Robidoux, children Jim Robidoux (Emily), Jackie Elliott, Donell Robidoux Zerkel (Brad), twelve grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Don considered his many nieces and nephews as his own and loved them all as such.

He was preceded in death by wife, his parents, and sisters Rita Dorste and Sally Surber.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where visitation with the family will be from 5-6 pm, Tuesday, August 12 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha. A Celebration of Don's Eternal Life will be at Zion Lutheran Church, Hiawatha at 10 am, Wednesday, August 13, with burial services to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha. Military honors will be a courtesy of the Iowa Tribe Ceremonial Unit. There will be a light lunch served at the church following the burial of the ashes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hiawatha High School Booster Club or the Boys and Girls Club of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

Memories or a special note to the family may be sent to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com