A devoted farmer, Army veteran, church and community volunteer, sports fan, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Donald Gene Norman, 94, of Axtell, NE passed on Friday, April 4, 2025. Services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell, NE, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gale Dorn officiating, with burial following at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell. Visitation will be held at the Craig Funeral Home, Minden, NE, on Tuesday, April 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Don was born on July 30, 1930, to Thurston and Leaf (Rodine) Norman in rural Phelps County. He initially attended country school for four years and graduated from Axtell High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Ann Carlson, on December 23, 1951. They were married for 63 years and best friends for 68 years, and from this marriage three daughters were born: Deborah, Jill, and Jan.

As a member of the generation that fully dedicated themselves to God, family, and country, Don served in the U.S. Army on the Korean Peninsula in 1952 and 1953, attaining the rank of Sargeant in July 1953. He continued honoring his country through membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #7935 and served as Post Commander for several years. For 45 consecutive Memorial Days, he honored all veterans at the Axtell Cemetery by posting American flags on the veterans' graves. In 2014, he was selected for the 'Korean War Honor Flight for Veterans' to Washington D.C., and there toured the Korean War Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and many other historic sites along the National Mall with other honored veterans and his grandson, A.J. Don's numerous Army decorations included: Korean Service Medal; Bronze Service Stars; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Medal; Good Conduct Medal; and the Korean War Service Medal.

His great grandchildren affectionately called him 'Papa Don-Don.' He gifted each of his great grandchildren with an antique children's belt buckle from his Heston buckle collection, as Nebraska now has 16 new, official cowboys and cowgirls. Marilyn and Don were fortunate to have had the opportunity to extensively travel as they vacationed in SD, CO, FL, GA, HI, MO, NV, AR, CA, KY, TN, TX, WA, and WY, and they also cruised to the following distant destinations: Alaska, China, Russia, and Sweden (the birthplace of his father).

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marilyn, and sisters Ruthie Waters and Dorothy Nelson. Left to cherish his full life and noteworthy contributions are daughters Debby and husband Russ Higham, Waco, TX; Jill Dahlgren and husband Rick, Axtell; and Jan Popple, Kearney; grandchildren A.J. Dahlgren, Axtell; Zoe Streck and husband Arik, Grand Island; Abbey Thull and husband Gregory, Minden; Dylan Popple and wife, Ashton, Omaha; Blair Peterson and husband Cole, Riverdale; Addison Popple and wife, Amy, Elkhorn; and Mariah Knehans and husband Kel, Juniata; and great grandchildren Maddie & Hannah Merrill, Gage, Brax, & Tucker Thull; Ellis & Roman Popple; Cruz, Drake, & Blaise Peterson; Noah, Tatum, & Lowen Popple; Remi & Dash Knehans; and Stella Streck; sisters Peggy Ingold, Wheatland, WY; Marilyn Dannehl & husband, Hoss, Kearney; Karen Deterding & husband Wayne, Kearney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his love for God and country, memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Axtell, or a new bench to be located on the Axtell community walking trail.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .