Donald LeRoy Majors

Donald LeRoy Majors was born on Aug. 5, 1928 in Imperial, Chase County, Neb., at the home of his parents, William Harrison Majors and Cora Etta Dukes, joining the family as the fifth addition to the total of six children that they would raise.
Don was given 88 years, seven months and 19 days of blessings in his worldly life until being called to his heavenly Home the evening of March 24, 2017 at the Chase County Community Hospital in Imperial.
Attending Imperial Grade School, Don graduated from eighth grade to Chase County High School where he studied until mid-term of his sophomore year when the family moved to Wauneta. He continued his education at Wauneta High School, graduating in the class of 1946 before attending Doane College in Crete for an additional year.
It was during his years at Wauneta High School that Don met Bonnie Jean Crosson who would be the love of his life. Despite Bonnie Jean saying, “No,” the first time that Don asked her for a date to the prom, he was persistent and following the dance that evening Don walked with Bonnie to her home. They have enjoyed each other’s companionship—holding hands and each other, dancing to swing, polka and waltzes ever since.
Following the 1947 Christmas Eve church service at rural St. Paul Lutheran Church, Don showed Bonnie a ring box and popped the question. They celebrated by dancing the night away in Imperial.
Bonnie Jean attended beautician college in Hastings while Don was in college at Doane. They were united in marriage on Feb. 19, 1949 by Rev. David Kreitzer at Zion Lutheran Church in Hastings.
This union was blessed with three children—James Michael, born Oct. 25, 1949, Deborah Jean, born Dec. 9, 1950 and Paula René, born Aug. 14, 1960. James and Deborah were delivered in Imperial while Paula arrived when the family resided in Sidney.
Don began working early in life starting at JC Penney’s in Imperial and Stinnette Grocery in Wauneta. He also contributed his efforts to the construction of Enders Dam with the Department of Reclamation while in high school. Familiar with and devoted to farming, ranching and food all of his life, Don worked on the Crosson Farm/Ranch south of Wauneta, D&S Market in McCook and then Krotters River Ranch south of Imperial. In 1957 Don and Bonnie moved to Sidney where he worked as the manager at Town & Country Market. Upon the family’s return to Wauneta in 1962 Don was first employed as the manager at the COOP grocery before returning to a life of farming and ranching on the Crosson homestead. In 1966 the family moved the short distance to Imperial where Don worked as assistant manager first at Jack & Jill and then later at Dwight Hoff’s Superfoods until 1981 when he “retired” before farming and ranching again in Wauneta.
Baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook on Dec. 16, 1951, Don held congregational membership at St. Paul Lutheran in Sidney, Redeemer Lutheran in Wauneta and Zion Lutheran in Imperial.
Don always enjoyed dancing and having fun with Bonnie Jean and numerous friends. He also was an avid reader, sportsman and household “fix it” man improving and remodeling many of the houses the family called home. He loved the outdoors and took in water skiing, hunting and boating at every opportunity as well as numerous family trips to our nation’s national parks. Later in life one of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren and their families and being able to know his great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents William H. and Etta Majors and all his siblings including sisters Elmira (Orville “Slim) Majors Fielder, Viona (Alfred “Al) Majors Ahrens Piva, brothers William “Bill” Majors, Keith (Yvonne “hot dog”) Majors and James “Jim” Majors; niece Joan Fielder; great nephew Eric Ahrens and great niece Brittney Elizabeth Majors.
Rejoicing in Don’s salvation are his wife Bonnie Jean, son Mick (Joyce), daughter Debbie (Jim) Kunkel and daughter Paula (Jay) Linke.
Pallbearers were Don’s seven grandchildren, Brian, Clay and Clint Majors, Leigh (Tracy) Clapp, Jason (Kelsey) Kunkel, Jessica (Michael) Buecker and Harley Allen.
Honorary pallbearers were Don’s seven great-grandchildren, Maycee and Cannon Clapp, Kendra and Joshua Kunkel, Jaxson and Brock Buecker and Colt Majors.
Also surviving are sisters-in-law Ibbie Ann Majors and Joann Majors; nephews and nieces Charles “Chuck” (Diane) Ahrens, Billy (Joyce) Majors, Bob (Colleen) Majors, Bruce (Deb) Majors, Jimmy Majors, Nancy Crocket, Susie Majors and Mark (Julie) Majors; many great nieces and nephews, distant cousins and countless friends that he always shared a smile and joke with.
Funeral services are being held at Zion Lutheran Church, Missouri synod, Imperial, on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David Kahle officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
Visitation was held Wednesday afternoon, March 29, 2 to 6 p.m. at Liewer Funeral Home in Wauneta
A memorial has been established in Don’s memory.
Organist was Joel Grosbach.
Musical selections sung by Zion’s choir include “God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Go Now in Peace” and “For All the Saints Who From All Their Labors Rest.”
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.