Donald Shimerka

Services for Don Shimerka, 82, Pierce, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Church of Christ here. The Rev. Terry Buol will officiate. A private inurnment service will be at a later date at the National Cemetery in Bruno. Military rites will be by U.S. Army Honors Guard and Tomek-Otto Post 72 American Legion. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce. He died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Donald L. Shimerka was born on June 14, 1929, in Abie, to V.J. and Mary (Roubal) Shimerka. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter and Paul's Church in Abie. He attended Abie Public School until grade 10 and graduated from David City High School in 1948. After high school, he attended National Railroad College in Omaha and graduated as an agent telegrapher. He was employed in the Atkinson location for Chicago-North Western depot until 1951 when he was inducted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War July 25, 1951. He served stateside serving in Fort Leonard Wood and lastly in Chicago, Ill., where he was honorably discharged July 24, 1959, as a corporal in the Army Reserve. He married his best friend Letha Nozicka on July 18, 1951, one week before leaving for the Army. They were married in the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, Minn. They have been married 60 years. Don resumed his job with the CNW railroad in Atkinson for six years and then transferred to Foster. After one year on the Extra Board, he left the railroad to work as office manager at Cobb Motors. In 1968, he was hired as a draftsman for Vulcraft Corp., a division of Nucor in Norfolk. He retired in January 1993. His community service included being a permanent member of the American Legion Post 72, Disabled American Veterans of Norfolk. He served as adjutant for several years at the Pierce Post and was in charge of the Legion Rifle Club. He served on the Boy Scouts Council for several years. Don was an active member of the Pierce United Church of Christ Congregational. He served on several boards, namely chairman of the board of trustees. His community service during his retirement included the Pierce Chamber of Commerce and Pierce Historical Society. He was an avid stamp collector and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed his friends at the Tuesday Lunch Bunch for 16 years. Survivors include wife, Letha Shimerka of Pierce; a daughter, Linda and husband Dr. David Hedrick of Centennial, Colo.; a son, Dave and wife Shawni of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two grandsons, Jason Hedrick, Ryan Hedrick and wife Flora all of Manhattan, N.Y.; sister, Gladys Talcott of David City; several nieces and nephews; and Don's beloved dog Mikie. Don was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Libbie Kopecky, Vee Smith, Lucille Grebenick; brothers-in-law, Ed Kopecky, Hank Smith, Albert Grebenick, and Floyd Greenlund; a nephew, Kenneth Grebenick; a niece, Carol Wright. Music for the service will be provided by organist, Charlene Chilvers, and soloist, Rick Higgins.

Tributes

Donald Shimerka

June 14, 1929 - September 4, 2011