Donald Spry

    Don Spry, 92, of Broken Bow, formerly from Oconto, passed away on March 9, 2017 at home in Brookstone View in Broken Bow.   A Memorial Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 13 at Brookestone View in Broken Bow. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14 at Buffalo First Lutheran Church, 42957 Buffalo Rd, Lexington, NE, with Pastor Vic Rasmussen officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Arrangements are by Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow.   Donald Howard Spry was born in his parent’s farmhouse in the Burr Oak community near Eddyville, NE to Howard and Alice (Stockham) Spry on May 12, 1924. In his early childhood he loved playing with his younger sister Viola, who lost her hearing as a baby due to illness, and was devastated when at age seven she left the family home for boarding school at the Nebraska School for the Deaf in Omaha. He attended the Devine School near Burr Oak until 3rd grade, then moved and attended Lomax School until 8th grade. He then attended and graduated from Oconto High School in 1942. After Pearl Harbor, he wanted to join his friends in the armed forces but was deferred due to a disability from severely breaking his arm in a horse accident in childhood. He farmed with his father after high school, however he faithfully wrote letters every week to his friends who were serving in the war.   During this time Don joined the Oconto Baseball team and played for many years where he cultivated lifelong friendships. One of those friends introduced him to his beautiful redhaired sister, Hulda Neben, at the Corn Show Dance in Oconto in October, 1949. They were engaged in January and then married on June 4, 1950 at Buffalo First Lutheran Church. They farmed southeast of Oconto for 41 years, and also owned and operated the Oconto Cafe from 1970 – 1974. They drove the Oconto High School activity bus for 12 years, and then they drove the regular bus routes and worked as custodians for Oconto Public School for 5 years. For many years Don was the beloved coach of the Oconto Lion’s Club girls’ softball team and in that role became a mentor who positively influenced his players’ lives.   Don was a member of the Oconto Lion’s Club, Oconto Volunteer Fire Department, Oconto Alumni Association and the Oconto Senior Citizens. He served the Oconto community as a member of the Lomax School Board, the Woodriver Township Board, and a Community Walking Club who helped keep the community free of trash. With Hulda, they coordinated the gathering of grass and crop samples for the Oconto Community booth at the Custer County Fair. He served the First Lutheran Church as an Elder and Council member.   Don loved to meet people and loved to talk with anyone he met, anywhere he went. So many people who knew him, particularly his softball girls, recall funny and endearing stories about him even all these years later. He is fondly remembered for his kindness, humor and ability to forge a quick bond with strangers.  As Will Rogers said, “Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet.”   Don was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Viola O’Connor and her husband Alvin.    Don is survived by his son Dr. Les Spry and his wife Denise of Lincoln, NE; son Kirk Spry and his wife Kathy of Santa Maria, CA; daughter Laura Ridder and her husband Dan of Kearney, NE; and daughter Sharon Spry and her husband Tim Armstrong of Raleigh, NC. Don is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.   Memorials may be given to Brookestone View in Broken Bow. Don’s family wish to express our gratitude to the wonderful staff who loved and cared for him at Brookestone View and the Asera Care Hospice team who ensured that he was comfortable during the end of his life. We also wish to thank Pastor Vic Rasmussen for his comforting spiritual care and Tam and Greg Johnson and the First Lutheran Church Ladies Aid for dinner after the funeral. Also, thank you to the Sumner School group of students who showered him with gifts and treats.