Donald E Sjogren

Funeral Services for Donald E. Sjogren will held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Pastors Daren Popple and Ted Carnahan officiating. Interment will be in the Fridhem Cemetery at Funk following the services.

Donald Ernest Sjogren, 85 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Funk) passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska. Donnie was born January 3, 1932, at Holdrege, the eldest of two sons born to Ernest and Ellen (Peterson) Sjogren. He was raised on the family farm northeast of Funk. Donnie received his primary education from District #7 in Phelps County through the 7 ^th grade. He then attended Axtell Public School, graduating from Axtell High School with the class of 1949.

Following high school, Donnie attended the Luther Junior College in Wahoo, Nebraska, earning an Associates of Arts degree. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. After college, Donnie returned home to the family farm and began his lifelong passion of farming.

Donnie was an active member of the Fridhem Lutheran Church, where he served several terms on the church council. In addition, he was very active in the Corn Growers Association, serving on the Nebraska Corn Growers Association board of directors for fifteen years. Donnie was presented the Golden Ear Award for outstanding service to the Association. He has also served on the National Corn Growers Association for ten years, and held the office as Vice-President of Research for three years. He was honored to be appointed by the Governor of Nebraska to serve one term on the Nebraska Corn Development and Utilization Board. Donnie also served as President of the South Central Corn Growers Association, and was a past President of the Phelps County Farm Bureau.

Donnie participated in the "People to People" trip to China, and also traveled to South America, and Africa to promote Nebraska farmers. He was an avid Nebraska Football fan, and attended most Husker home games, bowl games, and many away games as well. Promoting the welfare of others was always important to Donnie, and acts of philanthropy made his life complete. He was honored to have the Holdrege YMCA named after him.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Donnie leaves to celebrate his life; his brother, Gerald Sjogren and his wife, Joan of Burnsville, Minnesota; two nieces: Andrea Sjogren and Allison Engebretson and her husband, John all of Savage, Minnesota; long-time companion, Edna Scheneman of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host great-nieces, a great-nephew; other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Don's honor and kindly suggested to the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, the Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Holdrege, or the Don Sjogren Community YMCA of Holdrege.

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

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