Donald Fickenscher

DONALD GEORGE FICKENSCHER Donald G Fickenscher passed away on August 28th, 2014 at the age of 82. Don was born to George and Bertha Fickenscher on March 8th, 1932 in Brady, Nebraska. He was the 3rd child of George and Bertha Fickenscher, joining Milford and Dorothy. Two years and one day later, Don’s best friend and partner in all childhood antics was born, Myron. Don attended a one room country school for his elementary years, then Gothenburg High School for two years and Brady High School for two years, where he graduated in May of 1950. While in high school, Don enjoyed football, basketball and track. On September 9th, 1952, Donald joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. On April 25, 1954, he married Geraldine Eilers at Zion Lutheran Church in Gothenburg. They resided at Fort Knox until September of that year when, Don was honorably discharged from the Army, holding the rank of Corporal. After that, they resided on the Fickenscher Family farm 9 miles north of Brady, NE. To this marriage, 3 children were born, Bruce, Brenda and Bonnie. While on the farm, Don raised wheat and wheat, along with cattle and hogs. He was a sales representative for NC+ Seed Corn and worked for a time at the Monroe Auto Parts Manufacturing Plant and for the Union Pacific Railroad. In January of 1972, the family moved to Greeley, CO, where Don worked in the construction and agricultural industries. In 1984, Don and Geri moved to the Denver metro area, settling in Thornton, CO. They were active members or Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Thornton, where Don served as an elder. Don was an avid gardener and grew beautiful flowers. In later years, they lived in Greeley, Loveland and Johnstown, CO. After almost 60 years of marriage, Geri passed away on February 21st, 2014. Due to declining health, Don resided at Mountain Vista Care in Wheat Ridge, CO at the time of his death. Don was loved by everyone who knew him. His kind and gentle ways were his trademark. To his children, he was a father, a friend and our hero. He taught us to ride a bike, drive a tractor, plant a field, milk a cow and how to ice skate. He taught us that is did not matter if you were 10 minutes early for school or ten minutes late, you still drove 5 miles under the posted speed limit. He taught us that simply going to church on Sunday was not religion; that you needed to live your life everyday by God’s example. He taught us that when something was bothering you, hard work and sweat on the brow did wonders for you. Hard work never hurt anyone and if you were going to do something, do it right the first time or don’t do it. He was there for us when life was not treating us the way we thought it should, when you needed a work of encouragement or just wanted to sit around and chat about his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers. To his grandchildren, his was the maker of the best hand cranked homemade ice cream and the biggest fan in the stands during their ball games or school events. To everyone, he was the person you knew was going to tease you. The minute Dad walked in, didn’t matter who you were or what you were doing, he was going to pick on you. Then he would give you that gentle little hug of his and laugh! We will miss you, Daddy, more than words can say! Don is survived by his three children, Bruce (Brenda) of Chivington, CO, Brenda (Steve) Adler of Johnstown, CO and Bonnie (Mac) McMillan of Arvada, CO. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, Jim Jackson, Jamie Conley, Lindsay McMillan, Tyrell Fickenscher, Megan Bachman, Kenny McMillan, Todd McMillan and Tracie McMillan, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Fickenscher, his parents, George and Bertha Fickenscher, and his three siblings, Milford, Dorothy and Myron. Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 6th, 2014 at Abiding Love Lutheran Church, 2825 E 1st St., Loveland, CO 80537. Don and Geri will be laid to rest at Zion Lutheran Church in Gothenburg, Nebraska.