Donald Edward Kamtz

Memorial Services for Donald E. Kamtz will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell and Pastor Dan Wiese officiating. Interment will be held prior to the services at 11:00 a.m., at the Salem Cemetery in rural Axtell, Nebraska, with Military Honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 of Holdrege, in conjunction with the United States Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Donald Edward Kamtz, 92 years of age, of Holdrege, (formerly of Axtell), passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Donald was born July 15, 1923 in Hampton, Nebraska, the youngest of three sons born to William Karl August and Clara Wilhemina (Otto) Kamtz. He received his primary education from a rural Hampton school, then attended St. Peters Lutheran Parochial School at Hampton and graduated from Hampton High School with the class of 1940. He then attended Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska while working at the Coast-to-Coast store in Seward.

In 1942, Donald was inducted into the United States Air Force, where he served stateside until his honorable discharge.

On June 6, 1948, Donald was united in marriage to Dorothy Henrietta Groteluechen at Christ Lutheran Church, northeast of Columbus, Nebraska. To this union three children were born: Katherine Ann, Warren William and MinDee Jo. The family made their home at York, Nebraska until moving to rural Axtell in 1979. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998. Dorothy passed away on January 12, 2006.

Donald was employed by the U.S. Post Office in York from 1948 through 1959, was a Rural Mail Carrier at Bradshaw, Nebraska from 1959 to 1979 and then moved to a farm southwest of Axtell, where he farmed until 1987.

In his younger years he was an active member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, where he played the organ, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Upon his retirement, Don became active in the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #66 at Holdrege and the Rural Mail Carriers Association.

Don enjoyed working on his cars, singing, playing guitar and playing cards, especially Pitch.

Besides his parents and his wife, Dorothy, Donald was preceded in death by his son, Warren Kamtz in 2014; brothers: Willis Kamtz and wife, Winifred, and Glade Kamtz; and a nephew, Jerry Kamtz.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his two daughters: Kathy Bergstrom and her husband, Steve of rural Axtell; MinDee Reiss of Aurora, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Carol Kamtz of Liberty, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Brian Bergstrom and his wife, Jenice of Axtell, Kevin Bergstrom and his wife, Gwen of Axtell, Karl Bergstrom of Axtell, Marla Lerch and her husband, Maj. Matt Lerch of Oahu, Hawaii, Stephanie Kamtz of Olathe, Kansas, Terry Kamtz and his wife, Adrian of Grand Island, Nebraska and Sgt. Kurt Reiss of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; ten great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Norma Kamtz of Lincoln, Nebraska; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Donald's honor and kindly suggested to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.