Don G. Rouse

Don G. Rouse, 80, of Wakefield, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska, after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, Nebraska, with Father Gerald Leise officiating. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bressler~Munderloh Funeral Home in Wakefield, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Wakefield City Cemetery in Wakefield. Don was born on July 15, 1930, in Elgin, Nebraska, to John and Mabel (Smith) Rouse. Don graduated from Elgin Public High School in 1948. Immediately following graduation he entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Greenland for two years, serving as an Air Force Weatherman. While serving in the Air Force, Don married Donna Thiem, daughter of Vincent and Celia (Tunic) Thiem, on May 4, 1953. To this union five children were born. Don attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah, and became a depot agent for the Milwaukee Railroad in South Dakota. After his time there, he went on to work at Waldbaum’s Company, retiring at the age of 78. Don was a member of the American Legion for 51 years, serving as Commander twice. While a Legion member, Don was able to secure Wakefield as a site for the State Legion Baseball Tournament, it’s first ever. With the success of this, Wakefield has been able to secure other State Baseball Tournaments thanks to Don. In his spare time, Don enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, baseball and Nebraska Football. One of his best joys, though, was following his five children’s endeavors. Don touched many lives with his kindness, loyalty, tenacity and laughter. Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 57 years, Donna, of Wakefield, and four of his children: Don Jr. of Hanson, Idaho; Dave of Wakefield; Cindy of Lincoln, NE; and Angie and her husband Ernie Silva of Kimberly, Idaho, his fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Gilbert and Phil, a sister, Betty, and his son Tim. He will be missed.