Donald Theodore McKibbin was born Feb. 16, 1931, in Sutton, the son of Theodore R. and Mary E. (Ainsworth) McKibbin and passed away Nov. 16, 2024, in Gretna, at the age of 93 years and 9 months.
Don grew up in Sutton where he was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Sutton. He attended and graduated from Sutton High School with the Class of 1949. Don enlisted into the U.S. Navy on Sept. 9, 1952, as a corpsman at Bethesda Hospital for three years followed by one year with the Marines at Camp Pendleton, California.
He was united in marriage to LaQuita Malena on Oct. 3, 1954, and to this union, four children were born. Don and LaQuita just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Don then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating from the College of Pharmacy in 1960. The family moved to Madison, where Don took over his father’s pharmacy in the Rexall drug stores until 1988. He continued to do relief work for area pharmacies, until they moved to Seward in 1998. Don was a member of the Seward United Methodist Church, a past Masonic Lodge member, past American Legion member and Nebraska Pharmaceutical Association. Don was also a member of the Seward Kiwanis Club, where he sang with the K-Tones. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and FoodNet.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Mary McKibbin; one son, Steve McKibbin; and one brother, Kenneth McKibbin.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, LaQuita McKibbin, Gretna; his children, Amy Hughes, Norfolk, Diane Hamel, Gretna, Scott McKibbin, Owasso, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Gretna United Methodist Church with Pastor Chuck Rager officiating. A lunch will follow at the Seward United Methodist Church. Graveside and inurnment will follow at 3 p.m. at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Madison. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Gretna United Methodist Church, Seward United Methodist Church, Madison United Methodist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
