Donald Dean Stange

1938 - 2025

Donald Dean Stange

December 23, 1938 - March 18, 2025

Donald Dean Stange, 86 of Cairo, Nebraska passed away March 18th, 2025, at home.

A Graveside Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26th at 11:30 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery south of Cairo. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Don was born December 23, 1938, in Cairo to Henry "Bus" and Dorothy (Roberts) Stange. He attended Cairo schools and graduated from Cairo High School in 1956.

He attended college for one semester at Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska, then transferred to Fairbury Nebraska Junior College graduating in 1958. Don then attended and graduated from Peru State Teachers College, Peru, Nebraska.

Don's first teaching and coaching position was in Creston, Nebraska in 1960 where he coached football, basketball and track for three years. He taught and coached football, basketball and track in Polk, Nebraska for two years. Don taught and coached football and track in Stanton, Nebraska for two years.

In 1967 he moved to Shenandoah, Iowa where he taught and coached until his retirement. Don had many very successful football teams where he coached. Eventually, he returned to Cairo and lived with his dad until his dad's passing and remained in the home.

In some of the summers Don attended Kearney State Teachers College in Kearney graduating with a master's degree in education. He also taught Driver's Education some summers both students and adults. Don was the manager of the swimming pools several summers in Creston and Stanton, Nebraska and Shenandoah, Iowa.

Don was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker Football fan, enjoyed playing cards, golf, and listening to music at home.

He was married to Jolene Steeple from Ravenna. In later years they divorced. They had two daughters, Tracy Lamaestra of Bath, Maine, and Jill Sykora of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Survivors are Tracy and Jill (David) Sykora. Preceding Don in death were his parents; and brother, Barry.

After the graveside service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, friends are invited to the Cairo United Methodist Church for lunch and fellowship with the family.