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The sad news of Don's death has reached us through his relatives and friends. Don died Sunday, June 16, 2019, in Sarasota, FL. Don and his wife, Mary, this spring from Lincoln to FL to be closer to family as Don dealt with his last months battling cancer where he continued to receive treatments. Don's body will be cremated and no service is planned. We are grateful to our classmate, Marv Itzen, and LHS Class of 1960, Ed "Butch" Bice, for sharing information with our Class of '61. Deepest sympathy to all those impacted by this loss. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
This obituary appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
Donald E. Betten, 75, met our Jesus on June 16th, passed peacefully at home after a 4 1/2 year cancer battle. The family will celebrate his life in a private ceremony. Sympathies may be sent to his family at 5656 Sheffield Greene Circle, Sarasota, FL 34235. In lieu of flowers, memorium in his memory can be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, or Concordia University, Seward, NE.
A more detailed obituary has been made available:
Donald E. Betten met our Jesus on June 16th, passing peacefully at home after battling cancer for over four years.
Don graduated LHS 61. He worked at Nebraska Farmer/Quebecor for 46 years and at Devaney Sports Center for 5 years, where he looked forward to every day building friendships with his colleagues, coaches, athletes and fans. He took great pride entertaining the crowd while sweeping the floor during the state high school basketball tournament.
Don was an avid bike rider and “world's strongest grandpa” setting a Nebraska State games bench press record. Don had a beautiful smile, sense of humor, and loved his Lord, His Word, his family and friends, and annual camping trips with his family to Pella.
He had a giving and compassionate heart continuing to the end by participating in several cancer studies and donating his organs and body for medical research.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; sons Mike (Lori) and Mark (Ann); Grandchildren Hannah, Levi, Zach and Noah; brother, Larry and sister, Verna. He also considered his church friends, the Prairie Life Center staff and Killer Bees, and friends of Bill W. like family.
The family elected to forego a service but will celebrate his life privately at a later date. Sympathies may be sent to 5656 Sheffield Greene Circle, Sarasota, FL 34235. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, or Concordia University, Seward.
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David R. Wicken
I'm sorry I didn't get to see much of Don after leaving school. At park school we played the tonenett in class and went on to him on the sax and me on the trumpet. A lot of fun. We lived only a couple of blocks from each other and in the summer we always played ditch. So much fun and wish we could have another chance to do over. Always played football in the park across the street from Don. There was always enough kids to make up a couple of teams. I will miss you. RIP
Gerald W. Lisby
So sad to hear of Don's passing. We went all the way through school together. Park, Everett, LHS. As Dave Wicken mentioned, we had quite a group that played together at "F" Street Park. Fun times... Fun years. My memories of Don are all positive, he was a great guy. We reconnected in the 70's when we both worked for the same company. My wife and I got a puppy from Don and Mary when they raised Yorkshire Terriers. My condolences to Mary and family.