Donald Bernard Pieper

1930 - 2025

Donald Bernard Pieper

June 27, 1930 - August 12, 2025

Donald Bernard Pieper passed away, August 12, 2025, at the Heritage Lodge nursing home in Gering, NE. His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, August 22, 2025, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff, NE. Fr. Gerald Harr will be officiating the Mass. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. A rosary will be said before the Mass at 10:15 am at the Church. Services will be livestreamed on the St. Agnes Catholic Church Facebook page. Memorials may be made to Knights of Columbus 4th Degree #1874. Online condolences may be made by viewing Don's memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.

Don was born in Sioux County, NE on June 27, 1930, the middle child to Theodore and Rose (Schaefer) Pieper. He enjoyed basketball and played on the Class D State Championship Team in 1947. Don graduated from Sunflower High School in 1948 and was the Student Council President.

Following his graduation from Sunflower, he dedicated himself to working on the family farm with his father. He was an active member of the Rural Youth leadership group and enjoyed calling and participating in square dancing. He met his future wife, LaVonne, at one of these events.

Don married LaVonne Wagner on August 20,1959 and in August 2024 they celebrated 65 years of marriage. Don and LaVonne established a farm and started a family. They raised four children as well as sugar beets, beans, corn, alfalfa and barley. They had milking shorthorn cows, pigs and chickens.

Don was a member of St. Agnes Church and the Knights of Columbus. He became a 4th Degree Knight in 1977. He was the Grand Knight – local area in 1979, District Deputy – for a four-year term from 1981 – 1985, and Chairman of the State Convention in 1985. He traveled throughout the state to Kearney, Columbus, Alliance, Sidney, Kimball, North Platte, Sioux City and O'Neill performing initiations for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees.

Don was on the school boards for Sunflower School, Mitchell High School and St. Agnes Elementary School. He was instrumental in the consolidation of Sunflower with Mitchell Schools.

In his later years he was finally able to enjoy some traveling with LaVonne. They went on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. Don and LaVonne traveled to Germany, Switzerland and other European countries.

Don is survived by his children, daughter Deb Krichau of Littleton, CO; Kiefer Krichau and Kristen Wright of Littleton, CO; daughter Lori Alvarez of Gilbert, AZ; Ashley (DJ) Spaulding and children Ava and Axel of San Tan Valley, AZ; Nicole (Jaye) Deal and children Levi, Meilani and Kai of San Tan Valley, AZ; Zachary Mohrbacker of Gilbert, AZ; son Doug Pieper of Scottsbluff, NE; Morgan Pieper and children Hunter, Stormy and Kendall of Gering, NE; McKenna (Ferdi) Botha of South Africa; Derek (Taryn) Pieper and Beckett of Gering, NE; and son Dennis (Carrie) Pieper of Norfolk NE; Dylan (Alex) Pieper and children Adalynn and Taya of Norfolk, NE; Quinn (Brandon) Vrbicky and Graham of Gretna, NE; Drue Pieper of Omaha, NE and Kade Pieper of Norfolk NE. Donald is also survived by his brother, Ted (Grace) of Mitchell, NE, sisters-in-law Joann Schafer and Carol (Alan) Feuerhelm.

Donald was preceded in death his wife LaVonne; his parents, Theodore and Rose Pieper and his in-laws Amos and Ina Wagner; brother Harold Pieper; sisters, Margaret Pieper and Sister Bea Pieper; brother-in-law, Ronnie Schafer and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pieper.