Donald G. Wedige

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Atkinson — Donald George Wedige, 86, of Atkinson, died Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Central Nebraska Veteran's Home in Kearney surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation was held Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Seger Funeral Home with a rosary.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson.

Burial was in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Atkinson.

Memorials may be made to Central Nebraska Veteran's Home in Kearney in Don's name.

Donald was born on May 10, 1937 at the “Fox Farm,” north of Stuart to George and Florence Moeller Wedige.  

Don lived in many communities as he was growing up, with his parents finally settling back in Atkinson where he attended St. Joseph's Academy, graduating in May of 1955.  

In 1956, he joined several friends and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving for two years in Camp Pendleton, CA.

Returning home on leave, he met Brenda Cole of O'Neill. They were married on Jan. 24, 1959. To this union seven children were born, six boys and one girl. He used to tell strangers that their daughter had “six brothers and each one of them has a sister!" Most people assumed they had 12 children.

Don's very colorful life included being a salesman in multiple areas, with his greatest joy, and proudest accomplishment, being “Wedige & Sons Salvage” on their acreage at the west edge of Atkinson.  He was an Atkinson Police Officer, worked for the City of Atkinson, a very proud member of the Atkinson Fire Department and an EMT, race car driver, mechanic and carpenter, truck driver, artist, “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer,” teacher and friend. Otherwise known as “A Jack-of-all-Trades” (plus a mean hand at playing cards!)

Up until Brenda's illness in May of 2023, they attended every sporting event or academic activity possible at Atkinson West Holt or their grandchildren and great-grandchildren's schools.  

They were both very active in the Atkinson Community with Atkinson Hay Days a yearly anticipated event!  

Throughout his many years of travel, he has been in every state in the lower 48, Hawaii and New Zealand.  Accumulating many stories and too many friends to count! He will be greatly missed.

Donald is survived by his wife Brenda of 65 years; six sons Alan (Colleen) of Kearney, Steven Wedige (Charlotte Kloppenborg) of Emmet, Todd (Marilyn) of Lincoln, Michael (Marilyn) of North Richland Hills, Texas, Darrin of Austin, Texas and Troy Wedige (Kandi Karo) of Ft. Calhoun; one daughter Jill (Larry) Gettert of O'Neill; one sister Patricia (Donald) Bouska of Stuart; one sister-in-law Gladys Cole of O'Neill;   25 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Betty Vlach and Mary Ellen Kersten, multiple in-laws, one granddaughter and four great-grandchildren.

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