Don Calahan

Done G. Calahan, the son of Charley and Ruby (Young) Calahan, was born on Jan. 23, 1936, in Nampa, Idaho. His mother wanted to name him Donney but for whatever reason she spelled his name Done, which became the family joke all of his life. He died on Jan. 24, 2025, at Brodstone Healthcare at Superior, at the age of 89 years and 1 day.

His dad moved around a lot looking for ground to rent taking them to Superior, Nelson, Nora and Oak areas. Don kind of liked farming with horses, but he much preferred the tractor his dad bought. When he was in high school, his dad quit farming and moved to Deshler, so Don took on odd jobs. He graduated from Deshler High School in 1954.

After graduation, he married Rosa Deterding on Nov. 9, 1957, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Deshler. This union was blessed with four children. When they joined St. Peters Lutheran church, Don was baptized and confirmed. After Vicki and Scott were born, they moved to Crete, where he tried his hand at trucking and running heavy equipment. Later they relocated to Deshler and then Carleton, where they bought their first home. He worked grading roads and running heavy equipment. He later earned a journeyman's license in electricity. He retired from Crete Carrier where he earned the 2-million-mile accident free award. He served on the Zion Lutheran Church council and the Carleton Village Board, and was a member of the volunteer fire and rescue department. Throughout his lifetime, Don lived in the communities of Burr Oak, Kansas, Nampa, Idaho, Oak, Deshler, Crete. Carleton and Superior, Nebraska.

His hobby was woodworking and all of his children and grandchildren have a handmade cedar chest to treasure. He liked driving trucks and taking Rosa and especially his grandchildren along with him. Because of failing eyesight, he was forced to give up his hobbies and his ability to drive. He sold his home and moved to Superior where the Vestey Center became his home. There he continued to make new friends and renew old friendships until the day he died.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Ruby; wife, Rosa on Sept, 12, 2020; son, Scott; daughter, Lisa (Erin) Parkhurst; grandchildren ,Lane Ough and Trinity Parkhurst; and half-sisters, Elizabeth Clark and Vera Crow.

Survivors include his children, Vicki (Robert) Williams of Superior and Bruce (Jean) Calahan of Utica; daughter-in-law, Nancy Calahan of Chandler, Arizona; 10 grandchildren: Stephanie (Mark) Thayer, Dan (Becky Matulka) Williams, Joel (Sarah) Calahan, Nathaniel (Theresa) Calahan, Amy (Jacob) Rust, Melissa (Anton) Calahan-Vintonyuk, Katie (Jesse Millspaugh) Calahan, John (Autumn) Calahan, Becky (Godfrey Lim) Calahan, and Emilee Calahan; sixteen great-grandchildren: Wyatt (Nicole) Thayer, Mackinley (Tristan) Sis, Ezra Calahan, August Calahan, Silas Calahan, Henry Rowland, Nathaniel Calahan, Willimena Calahan, Maxwell Rust, Miles Rust, Ryan Gonzalez, Matthew Vintonyuk, Craig Bennett, Zachary Bennett, Henry Millspaugh and Donny Lim; two great-great-grandchildren: Laramie Thayer and Emerson Sis and expecting baby Thayer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

His funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, from the Zion Lutheran Church in Carleton with the Rev. Beth Roegner officiating.

Music was "Old Rugged Cross," and "Amazing Grace," sung by Stephanie Thayer and John Calahan. Congregational hymns were "Blessed Assurance" and "When Peace Like A River," with Deb Pohlman as the accompanist.

Honorary bearers were Don's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Inurnment was in the Carleton City Cemetery at Carleton.

Memorials are suggested to go to the Superior Rescue Unit, the Vestey Center or Family Choice.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.