Don Bruce Fecht

1953 - 2008

Don Bruce Fecht, 74, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital Long Term Care.

Don was born Nov. 25, 1933, in Harlan County, Nebraska, to Johann and Ethel (Shaffer) Fecht. Don grew up in Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1952. He spent most of his life in Gothenburg.

Don was a hard-working family man. He began working at the age of 12. He worked for Ernie VanWey at the Sun Theater, where he ran the projector for 25 years. He worked for Art Pollock at the Jack and Jill grocery store. Don then worked at Lepp and Osterloh for 30 years. After his retirement he worked at Peterson's Supermarket for approximately 5 years.

On February 15, 1953, he married Bernadine Joy Rasmussen at the United Methodist Church in Gothenburg, NE. Don was a member of the United Methodist Church for 55 years, serving on several committees. He served on the Planning and Zoning Commission as a Chairman in 1985. He also served as a Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church.

Don was an avid Husker Football Fan. He took pride in having an exceptional vegetable garden. He also enjoyed reading Louis L'Amour books. Don especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Bernadine; a daughter, Lori (Russ) Emken of Brady, NE; two sons, Hal (Kendra) Fecht and Tim Fecht, both of Gothenburg; grandchildren: Jori (Charles) Jones of Groton, CT, Zachariah (Trenda) Fecht of Ashby, NE, Jacob (Julie) Fecht of Gothenburg, NE, Shannon (Matt) Schwartz of Hastings, NE, Braxton Fecht of North Platte, NE, Elijah Fecht of Omaha, NE, Zane Fecht of Gothenburg, NE, and Kolton Emken of Brady, NE; great-grandchildren: Taylor, Sydney, Hunter and Archer Jones of Groton, CT, Gunnar Fecht of Gothenburg, NE, Grady Fecht of Ashby, NE, Xavier, Taegan, and Layla Schwartz of Hastings, NE; sisters: Corinne (Carol) Sappingfield of Gothenburg, NE, Bonnita (Dennis) Thompson of Fountain Hills, AZ, Lorene (Dan) Billington of Folkston, GA; Brothers: Keith (Betty) Fecht of Gothenburg, NE, and John Burrell Fecht of Yakima, Washington.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Marilyn (John) Fecht; and brothers-in–law, Harlan Ackerman and Mearl Wallace.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at United Methodist Church in Gothenburg with Pastors Randall Dilts and Robert Litzenburger officiating.
Burial will be in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church, Brady Community Church or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be given to the family at www.blasestrauser.com