Donald “Don” Eugene Suhr was born March 9, 1933, in Tamora, the youngest child of Carl and Katherine (Walsh) Suhr. He passed away Nov. 1, 2020, at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 23 days. A life-long resident of the Seward community, Don married Barbara Miller on Nov. 17, 1951. Their union of almost 69 years was blessed with a family of six children.
Don graduated from Seward High School in 1950 and began teaching in a K-8 one-room school. He started working at Hughes Brothers in 1951, which included serving as treasurer of H.B.E. Credit Union. In 1962, Don earned his insurance license and began his career as an insurance agent, owning his own agency until his retirement in 2017. He served as Nebraska State President of Professional Insurance Agents and PIA National Director. Don was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Seward Volunteer Fire Department.
For more than 25 years, Don refereed football and basketball. He was honored to officiate in the Shrine Bowl football game and Nebraska state basketball tournaments. Don was a bowler, golfer and avid Husker fan. He attended his last Nebraska football game at age 86. Don enjoyed taking care of his lawn, koi fish and purple martins. Mornings you would find him joining in the McDonald’s coffee group discussion. His favorite vacation spot was Estes Park, Colorado.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his son, James “Jeff” Suhr; son-in-law, Bill Cudaback; and siblings Geraldine Prochnow, Gwendolyn Menze and Darrell Suhr. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Deborah Zavitka, Burbank, California, Judy Cudaback, Exeter, Donna Zigler, Lincoln, Mark Suhr and Diane Lichty (Rob) Ringler, Seward.
Grandchildren are Renee Zavitka (Warren Curry), Burbank, California, Brandon Cudaback, Omaha, Chad Cudaback, Lincoln, Steven Zigler, Hastings, Lori Lynn (Cenin) Sorto, Lincoln, Mallory (Tom) Van Haute, Gretna, Thomas Suhr (fiancé Taylor Fontes), Liz (Seth) Morenzoni, Tyler Lichty, Seward, Brittany (Trevor) Wambold, Lincoln, and Thomas, Abbey and Josh Ringler, Seward. Don enjoyed his great-grandchildren: Xavier, Alexander, Easton, Mila, Rocco and Cameron.
Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 9 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with interment at the Seward Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
