Donald Bures

Donald Dale Bures age 90 was called home to his dear Lord, June 5, 2014. Born on the family farm, Odell, NE., to Frank J. and Estella (Vitosh) Bures on July 26, 1923. He graduated from Odell High School in 1939, and attended Santa Ana Jr. College in Santa Ana, CA. He was a life-long farmer enjoying the joys of working with the soil and always feeling blessed when the harvest came in. His high school sweetheart, Lois (Neels) Bures, was the love of his life. They met at the old ZCBJ hall near Odell and were married on August 27, 1942 in Beatrice, NE.

A faithful man, Don was baptized in October, 1931, in Edinburg, TX. but he lived the bulk of his life in Gage County. He was confirmed as a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Odell, and NE. where he served as church chairman, treasurer, and as an Elder. He also served on the Elm Township Board and the Odell School Board. From 1985-1990 he was a member and Elder of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Beatrice, where he and Lois lived before returning to Odell to live out the rest of his life. His confirmation verse, Rev. 2:10, "Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life," is most applicable to this good, good man.

Some of his greatest joys were the simple pleasure of being with his family, farming and raising livestock, the love of music, playing the piano, and singing for funerals and weddings. Two of his favorite songs were "Somewhere My Love" and "You Are My Sunshine." He spent countless hours playing cards, enjoyed morning coffee with his friends, and savored being in the presence of and playing cards with all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following retirement, Don and Lois became Winter-Texans for 21 years, where they formed lasting friendships with others from all over the United States. His family will remember him as a kind, patient person with a sweet sense of humor - a classy, gentle man.

Survived by and grateful to have shared in his life are his loving wife, Lois of 71 years; his 2 sons, Allen (Simone) Bures and Gary (Mary Jo) Bures; 6 grandchildren, Rachelle (Brent) Sharrer, Aysha (Rob) Hall, Diane (Shane) Dieckman, Elizabeth Barkoudah, Stephanie (Philip) Williams, DJ (Karen) Kuhlmann; 11 great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Nicholas & Katherine Sharrer, Graycen & Emma Hall, Avery, Amelia & Audrey Dieckman, Isabelle, Micah and Victoria Barkoudah, Jael Williams & Derrick Kuhlmann; 2 step-grandchildren, Megan and Emily Rose Deely and their mother, Tammy Deely.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Joseph C. Beran; daughter Lynette Jo Kuhlmann; granddaughter Jennifer Kuhlmann; step-grandson Matthew Deely, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Norma Jean Vitosh.

Services will be Thursday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran church, Odell, NE. Vance-Gerdes Funeral Home of Odell in care of arrangements. Private family interment. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials in care of family for designation.