Donald R. Thompson

NELIGH — Funeral Service for Donald R. Thompson, 84, Neligh, were May 7 at United Methodist Church, Neligh, with Pastor Bruce Phillips officiating.

Visitation was May 6 at United Methodist Church.

Burial will be at a later date in Laurel.

Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home, Clearwater, was in charge of arrangements. Don died May 3, 2022, at Columbus Community Hospital.

Donald Ray Thompson was born April 7, 1938, in Wynot, to Harold and Ardis “Cleon” (Bottolfson) Thompson. At a young age, the family moved to a farm north of Laurel. He attended a rural school, where he graduated from eighth grade and was awarded the American Legion Award for top high score on eighth grade exam in Cedar County. He then attended Laurel Public High School and graduated in the Class of 1955, and was awarded football honors, and a Regents scholarship. Don married the love of his life, Peggy Hattig, June 1, 1958. They were blessed with four sons, Rock, Rob, Rick and Ron. Don graduated in 1959, from Wayne State College with a degree in education. He then went to Coleridge to teach industrial arts, science and coaching. He earned his master’s degree in administration from Kearney State College and moved to Osmond to take a superintendent position. Later, the family moved to Crofton, where he was a superintendent and while there, he earned his specialist in education degree from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. His career then took him to Neligh as the Educational Service Unit #8 administrator in 1975. He retired from that position in 1999. In their retirement years, they lived their summer months in Neligh and winter months in Mesa, Ariz.

Don liked to do construction and did masonry work on many fireplaces. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time at his farm, telling jokes, watching Husker sports, officiating football games and especially spending time with his family.

Don is survived by his wife, Peggy, Neligh; children, Rock (Linda) Thompson, Neligh; Rob (Tammy) Thompson, Pickstown, S.D.; Rick (Cathy) Thompson, Battle Creek; and Ron (Christie) Thompson. Firth; 15 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren; brothers, Zeb Thompson and Jim (Karen) Thompson; sister, Pam (Dennis) Ekberg, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Thompson.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Willis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.