Donald R. Dexter

Amelia — Donald "Don" Richard Dexter, 90, of Amelia, died Sunday, May 19, 2024 at his home in Amelia.

Visitation was held Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chambers. Rev. Leif Hasskarl officiated.

Burial was in the Chambers Cemetery in Chambers.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Donald was born on the family ranch, south of Amelia, on Sept. 25, 1933 to William and Emma (Burrell) Dexter. He was the youngest of seven children. Don attended country school through the eighth grade, then he went to Burwell High School and graduated in 1952. 

After graduation, Don worked with his father on the family ranch, raising Hereford cattle, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He took basic training in El Paso, Texas. He was then transferred to Fort Bliss, CO, and then to Rhode Island.  

Don's sister Opal was building a motel in Chadron so Don, his father and a brother went out to help her. While in Chadron, Don met Marlene Smith, one of the workers at the motel. They were married on Oct. 5, 1956 in Chadron. Don and Marlene returned to Rhode Island. After two years of service, Don was honorably discharged. Don and Marlene returned to the ranch where he worked with his father and two brothers Raymond and Leonard.

The couple made their home on the family ranch. They lived in an 8' x 12' camper for the first year of marriage and soon after Don built the home that he spent the rest of his life living in. To this union were born three sons Larry, Ron and Brad.  

Over the years Don's ranching went from horse-drawn hay equipment to Farmhand hay stacking and then to balers. 

Don was a member of the Swan Lake Country School Board, the Board of Directors of the Sandhill Cattle Association, the St. Paul Lutheran Church Board during the church rebuilding and the Rural Fire Board.

In his free time, Don enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. 

Don is survived by his wife of 67 years Marlene Dexter of Amelia; his three sons Larry (Cheryl) Dexter of Chambers, Ron (Darla) Dexter and Brad (Jane) Dexter, all of Amelia; 11 grandchildren Stacy (Mike) Drayton, Jeremy (Melyssa) Dexter, Shelby (RaeAnne) Dexter, Brogan Dexter, Brady (Brandi) Dexter, Mikki (Emily) Dexter, McKensie (Lacy) Dexter, Gabe Dexter, Levi (Brooke) Dexter, Tyler (Rylee) Dexter and Paige (Alex) Carlson; 23 great-grandchildren; his sister Opal Kirkpatrick of Grantsville, Utah; one sister-in-law Delores Dexter of Lead, SD; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings Beulah (Owen) Moses, Raymond (Pearl) Dexter, Hazel Dexter, Leonard (Charlene) Dexter and Roland Dexter; and one brother-in-law Bob Kirkpatrick.