October 15, 1936 ~ July 18, 2026
Donald Lavern Siske was born on October 15, 1936 to Lewis and Bernice (Schuetz) Siske on the family farm north of Burchard, NE. He was the youngest of three children born to this union. Don was baptized on December 13, 1936 by Rev. E. Tischhauser and confirmed on August 12, 1951 by Rev. V.F. Dedituis at Salem’s Evangelical Church, rural Steinauer, NE. His confirmation verse was Romans 8:28. He attended country school at District 50 through 2nd grade when the school closed. He continued his education at Lewiston High School graduating with the class of 1954.
At a basketball game in Steinauer, NE is where he met Alice Kotalik. They were united in marriage on June 25, 1960 at Salem U.C.C., rural Steinauer, NE. To this union a daughter, Holly, was born.
Don had a love for cattle at an early age. At the age of 8, he joined the Flying Tigers 4-H Club and spent the next 9 years in the dairy project. He was a 4-H leader for the Jr. Ranchers 4-H Club for a number of years. He continued his 4-H leadership role as beef superintendent as well as overall superintendent. Over his 30year involvement in the 4-H program, he received much recognition including the Friend of 4-H & 4-H Alumni awards. As a family, Don, Alice, & Holly were very involved in 4-H. Don raised Simmental cattle, and after Holly’s 4-H years, he continued to provide calves and help many 4-Hers with their projects.
In July of 1954, Don joined the Army Reserves in Pawnee City, NE. He enlisted for active duty in July 1957 and was assigned to Ft Leonard Wood, MO, and then reassigned to Fort Hood, TX with the 4th Armored Division in communication. In January 1958, his Division was sent to Leipheim, Germany. They returned to Fort Hood, TX in May 1960 where he was assigned to Co. B 2nd Bn 13 Cav as a tank commander. In May of 1963, he was assigned to Co. B 24th Inf. Division and was sent to Augsburg, Germany. Don’s Division was put on alert for the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. They were within 3 miles from Cuba when the announcement was made to end the crisis. He was honorably discharged in October 1964 at Fort Dix, NJ. In December of that same year, he rejoined the Army Reserves. In December of 1996, he retired from the military with the rank of Command Sergeant Major completing 42 years of military service.
After his military discharge from active duty, Don & Alice returned to Nebraska and made their home on the Kotalik family farm west of Table Rock, NE. Don began employment with Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph Company at Humboldt, NE as a lineman. He later was transferred to Tecumseh, NE and worked as a combination technician until his retirement with Windstream in 1997. He serviced southeast Nebraska for 38 years.
Don was very active in the community throughout the years. He served on the Nemaha Natural Resources District board, chairman of the Pawnee County Selective Service, two terms on the JNP Extension Board, member of the Pawnee County Agricultural Society for several years, Table Rock Board of Education for 12 years, life member of the Dalton- McHugh VFW Post #5289 of Pawnee City, and post commander (1991 & 1992), post delegate (1992-2024), 50 years firing squad commander, and a 58-year member all with the Brown-Hays American Legion Post #289 of Table Rock.
Throughout his life, Don enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, square dancing, playing cards (especially pinochle), word search puzzles, attending Nebraska home football games, and sitting on the front porch with their Border Collie, Maizy. Don touched the lives of many. He enjoyed mentoring and supporting youth throughout his lifetime. He was always there to lend a helping hand and was a friend to everyone. He leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, and commitment to the community and his country that will forever be remembered.
Don peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 18th, 2026 with his family by his side at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, NE, at the age of 89 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Jim & Helen Kotalik; sister and brother-in-law, Betty & Melford Mommens; brother and sister-in-law, Robert & Mary Siske; niece, Rhonda Van Dertholen; great-nephew, Zane Van Dertholen; great-niece, April Kreifel; and sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Betty & Jack Mahoney.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice; daughter Holly (Greg); nephews, Dennis (Kathy) Mommens and Gary Mommens; nieces, Pamela Mommens, Kathryn “Katy” (Greg) Kreifel, Carolyn (Donnie) Christen, Sherri (Bob) Smith, Lucinda (Chris) Dowding; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Salem U.C.C. Church, rural Steinauer, Nebraska, with Pastor Mike Row and Rev. Ken Tubbesing officiating. Organist Julie Tegtmeier accompanied vocalist Bill Hecht as he sang, “Go Rest High On That Mountain”, “On the Wings Of A Snow White Dove” and “I’ll Fly Away”. Special music included “The Caissons Go Rolling Along.” Pallbearers were Dennis Mommens, Gary Mommens, Randy Hothan, Ben Hothan, Grant Wenzl, Jeff Kreifel, Dave Wehrbein and Jeff Wehrbein.
Interment was held at 2:30 p.m., at the Bohemian (Czech) Cemetery, east of Table Rock, Nebraska with military honors provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Guard, Brown-Hays Legion, Post #289, Table Rock, American Legion Post #168, Pawnee City and VFW Dalton-McHugh Post #5289 Pawnee City.
Memorials to the family’s choice for a later designation.
Online condolences may be shared online at www.wherrymortuary. com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska, 68420 (402) 852-2387.