Donald Ekberg, Sr.

A Graveside Service for Donald E. Ekberg, Sr. will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Moses Hill Cemetery rural Phelps County, Nebraska, with Pastor Darren Popple officiating.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will follow at the Holdrege Memorial Homes Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Darren Popple officiating.

Donald Eugene "Don" Ekberg, Sr., 93 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege, surrounded by his family. Don was born on May 1, 1932, on the family farm near Alma, Nebraska, the third of four children born to Frank and Veda (Cady) Ekberg. He received his education from Mascot Public Schools and then attended and graduated from Mascot High School, with the class of 1950.  Don played all sports during his school years and also held 3-4 jobs all while in school, including: "cut meat" at the store, did custom farm work, worked at Jack's service station, and worked on building the Harlan County Dam.

Following his education, Don did road work and had his own gas station service station for four years.  Don later worked 10 years on Dairy Milking Equipment.  Don and his brother, Duane worked together and had D&D Plumbing, until retirement.

Don met his future wife at a soda shop in Holdrege.  On March 14, 1953, Don was united in marriage to Gloria Mae Mattson.  The couple made their home in Oxford, Nebraska, and then moved to Holdrege.  This union was blessed with five children:  Cheryl, Diane, Lana, Don, Jr. "Sonny", and Lisa.

Don learned to play cards at a young age and it was a favorite pastime until his passing.  Don and Gloria loved to go dancing at the ELKS on Saturday nights and spending time with family and friends.  Don was a member of the ELKS and was the Elk of the Year in January of 1974.

In 2018, Don began to make his home at Holdrege Memorial Homes Assisted Living.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gloria in 1987; in-laws, Otto and Julia Mattson; his siblings: a sister, Norma "Jeanie" (Edwin) Johnson; and two brothers: Duane (Nadyne) Ekberg; and Robert "Bob" (Alta M.) Ekberg; a son, Don "Sonny" Ekberg, Jr. in 2013; two sons-in-law:  Stanley "Mike" Johnson in 2014; and Kent Regier in 2025; and in-laws:  Dorothy Jean Mattson; Roger Mattson; Marilyn (Neil) Young; and Audrey (Terry) Christensen.

Left to cherish his memory are four daughters:  Cheryl Langenberg and her husband, Don of Holdrege; Diane Regier of rural Funk, Nebraska; Lana Benson of Holdrege; and Lisa Johnson of Holdrege; four grandchildren:  Tracy Helwick and her husband, Joe of Holdrege; Alexis Ekberg and her fiancée, Cody Bristow of Holdrege; Brett Wyatt and his husband, Jep of Atlanta, Georgia; and Blake Ekberg of Holdrege; three great-granddaughters:  Hailey Jameson, Emily Helwick, and Hadley Helwick; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members and friends.

A Private visitation will be held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

Memorials are kindly suggested to:  Holdrege Memorial Homes.

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.