Donald (Don) Gene Blecha

September 25, 1941 ~ February 11, 2024

Don was born September 25, 1941, at the Pawnee City Hospital to Charlie and Julia (Vrtiska) Blecha. The family lived on a farm near Violet, Nebraska until 1946 at which time they moved to Pawnee City and Don attended all grades at Pawnee City Schools. Don was involved with 4H, FFA, baseball, and basketball during high school. Some of his proudest achievements were earning Grand Champion Dairy Cow honors in 1958 and being the leading scorer on the basketball team his senior year. Don graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1959. After graduation, Don attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management. He started employment at the Nebraska Games and Parks Office in the Fisheries Division where he worked for three years. Don decided to return to college for one year to earn his teaching certificate after which he then accepted a teaching position with Osmond Community Schools.

When Don moved to Osmond in 1965, he met Bernice Herbolsheimer when renting the apartment below the Osmond Republican where she worked. Don joined the catholic church in 1966 and married Bernice on June 29 that year at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierce. The couple rented a house until 1967 when they built their family home in Osmond. Don continued teaching at Osmond until 1970. Over the next 37 years he worked as a draftsman at Vulcraft, teaching in Randolph, establishing his own construction company known as DGB Construction, store manager at Osmond Farm Supply Hardware Store, working at Lind-Gubbels, and returning to teaching in Plainview where he worked for 20 years until his retirement. During his various teaching assignments he taught courses in vocational agriculture, science, industrial technology, computer aided drafting, coached junior high girls’ sports, and served as Senior Class Sponsor in Osmond and Junior Class sponsor in Plainview.

Outside of work, Don participated in many organizations and committees including Pierce County Fair Board, Scout Master, Osmond City Park Board, Jay-Cees, Osmond Community Club, and Pierce County Weed Board. He was a member of St. Mary’s parish and collaborated with his wife and others to decorate the church for special occasions and holidays; served on St. Mary’s School Board and as communion minister; and occasionally assisted with repairs and maintenance of the church facilities. Although Don preferred to be an unsung contributor to celebrations and events, he was recognized for his commitment to community efforts as an Osmond Outstanding Citizen, Plainview Outstanding Teacher, Pierce County Fair Outstanding Member, and Aksarben Good Neighbor.

Survivors include his; son and wife Joseph and Debra (Braker) Blecha of Lenexa, KS; daughter and husband LaDonna and Raymond Rowden of Sherman, IL; and son and wife Terrence and Christine (Jaderston) Blecha of Rapid City, SD; seven grandchildren; brother David Blecha of Waterloo, IA; and sister Frances Taylor of Azle, TX.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bernice; and granddaughter Grace Blecha.

Services for Donald (Don) Gene Blecha, 82, of Osmond will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond. Father Kevin Vogel will officiate along with Deacons Doug Tunink and Roger Polt. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Pierce.

Visitation will be Friday, February 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Osmond, followed by a prayer service and rosary.