Don Hewitt

    Donald Dewayne Hewitt of Holyoke was born Sept. 27, 1934, in a sod house near Culbertson, Nebraska, to Clarence and Anna (Cunningham) Hewitt. He died April 4, 2019, at Haxtun Hospital District in Haxtun.
    Don grew up with eight siblings, in a time when hard work was expected and love of the Lord, country and family was a must. At the early age of 17, he chose to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and attained the rank of sergeant first class. Four of his brothers also served in the U.S. Army. He acquired his GED diploma and received an Associate of Education degree at NJC.
    On July 17, 1980, he married Janice (Buffington) Heldenbrand, and a blended family of two loving parents of seven teenagers began.
    Throughout his life, all of his work jobs were service-oriented. His first job in Holyoke was managing the bowling alley when it first opened. Then he worked at Red’s Conoco and Holyoke Co-op and retired from managing the Amherst Co-op oil station after 21 years of serving others. During this time, he also farmed. After retirement, he became a handyman and enjoyed painting houses.
    Donald chose to worship his Lord and Savior at Zion Lutheran Church. He served in many capacities, as elder, Sunday School teacher, head usher and many other board positions.
    In community service, Don served on the board of Phillips County Telephone Company, was a Boy Scout leader, and had been a member of the Jaycees, Lions Club, Holyoke Gun Club, Venango American Legion and Amherst Volunteer Fire Department.
    His interests and passions included Holyoke Dragon sports, Husker football, golfing, bowling and woodworking, but he was most passionate about family gatherings. Donald loved family, and as the head of his own large family, he wore many hats, such as father, adoptive father, foster father, stepfather, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle and loving husband. “A good dad makes your day. A great dad makes your whole life.”
    Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Boyd, Harold, Stanley, Gary and Eugene Hewitt; sister, Sharon Buffington; and brother-in-law, Keith Buffington.
    Those who celebrate his life include his wife, Jan; daughter, Tina Kramer and husband Garry of Holyoke; son, Neil Hewitt and wife Jennifer of Dallas, Texas; son, Bob Heldenbrand and wife Brenda of Holyoke; daughter, Joene Crocker and husband Steve of Kearney, Nebraska; daughter, Roene Fox and husband Michael of Kearney; son, Tod Heldenbrand and wife Robi of Alliance, Nebraska; son, Rob Heldenbrand and wife Jaci of Omaha, Nebraska; friends who are loved as family, Blaine and Kay Schmidt of Holyoke; 26 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Fred Hewitt of North Platte, Nebraska, and Nelden Hewitt of Kent, Washington; brother-in-law, Kent Buffington of Wauneta, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Buffington of Lincoln, Nebraska, Charlotte Hewitt of McCook, Nebraska, and Darlene Hewitt of Sterling; and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
    Services were held April 9 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke, with Pastor Gary Rahe conducting the service. Interment with full military honors was held at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta, Nebraska.
    A memorial has been suggested to the Hewitt family for later designation.
    Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
    Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was entrusted with arrangements.