Obituary for Donald Will
Funeral services for Donald Will age 91 of West Point, NE will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in West Point, NE with Pastor John Gierke officiating. Interment with Military Rites will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in West Point and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The family suggests memorials be directed to Franciscan Healthcare, West Point Rescue, St. Paul's Lutheran School, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church, all in West Point, NE.
Don passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, NE.
Donald Carl Will was born on September 19, 1930 at West Point, NE to Gustav and Frieda (Sengbusch) Will. He was baptized at home on October 19, 1930 and confirmed on April 2, 1944 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by Rev. Oelschlager. Don attended and graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated from West Point High School in 1948.
On October 5, 1952, was united in marriage to Marcella “Sally” Volker. Don served in the United States Army from April 14, 1952 until March 24, 1954. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to West Point and farmed. When he was no longer actively farming, he was employed as seasonal worker for several agriculture related business in the West Point area.
Don was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in West Point and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4912. He enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include-
Son-Jeff Will of Lincoln, NE
Daughter-Jody and Mike Brockmann of West Point, NE and family-
Brandon Brockmann, Brett and Maggie Brockmann and children-Charlie, Bode & Emme,
Blake Brockmann, and Brady Brockmann
Daughter-Julie and Norman Rief of Omaha, NE and family-
Carley Rief, and Claire Rief and Jon Ochsner
Son-John and Diem Will of West Point, NE and family-
Jacob Will and Breanna Armstrong, Jasmine Will, and Johnny Will
Son-Jayde Will of Riga, Latvia
Brother-Reginald Will of West Point, NE
Sister-in-law-Carolyn Volker of Kansas City, MO
Cousin-Norman Sengbusch of Kaukawa, WI
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter-Brooke Anne Brockmann, grandson-Jasper Will, sister-Shirley McCarty, brother-in-law-Bernard Volker, and a nephew-Michael McCarty.
I’ve been talking a lot about death lately, what with my father on what could be called his deathbed. I appreciate friends who have opened up on what is traditionally a difficult topic. Now that’s he’s gone, it’s time for me to look back, look at the now, and also, to the future.
I’ve had a strange relationship with that part of life. Death, I mean. My mother died when I was 14, and I think when anyone who you have loved with some unknown part of you is gone, you don’t know what to say or how to react. You don’t have the words or experience. You just simply feel it with your entire body. The heaving that comes from your stomach, like part of your spirit is leaving your body, and the guilt that pours over you for not being able to do a damn thing about it. The memories that wash over you, like when he used to hit you baseballs after a long day in the fields, the last trips you took to visit relatives up in Wisconsin, the conversations about daytime talk shows, how you suspended time for just a little bit to play and experience love, not just read about it, or talk about it, or simply fail to understand it when it’s in front of you.
But you know, even with all those words, experiences, memories, at this time it’s ok to keep it simple, as Dad probably would have wanted. I love you Dad. When you get to the bar up there (and I know you’ll find it) and St. Peter is serving you, I know you’ll ask for a Bud Lite and some pickle cards, and feel right at home. Godspeed
Love,
Jayde
Don passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, NE.
Donald Carl Will was born on September 19, 1930 at West Point, NE to Gustav and Frieda (Sengbusch) Will. He was baptized at home on October 19, 1930 and confirmed on April 2, 1944 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by Rev. Oelschlager. Don attended and graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated from West Point High School in 1948.
On October 5, 1952, was united in marriage to Marcella “Sally” Volker. Don served in the United States Army from April 14, 1952 until March 24, 1954. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to West Point and farmed. When he was no longer actively farming, he was employed as seasonal worker for several agriculture related business in the West Point area.
Don was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in West Point and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4912. He enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include-
Son-Jeff Will of Lincoln, NE
Daughter-Jody and Mike Brockmann of West Point, NE and family-
Brandon Brockmann, Brett and Maggie Brockmann and children-Charlie, Bode & Emme,
Blake Brockmann, and Brady Brockmann
Daughter-Julie and Norman Rief of Omaha, NE and family-
Carley Rief, and Claire Rief and Jon Ochsner
Son-John and Diem Will of West Point, NE and family-
Jacob Will and Breanna Armstrong, Jasmine Will, and Johnny Will
Son-Jayde Will of Riga, Latvia
Brother-Reginald Will of West Point, NE
Sister-in-law-Carolyn Volker of Kansas City, MO
Cousin-Norman Sengbusch of Kaukawa, WI
Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter-Brooke Anne Brockmann, grandson-Jasper Will, sister-Shirley McCarty, brother-in-law-Bernard Volker, and a nephew-Michael McCarty.
I’ve been talking a lot about death lately, what with my father on what could be called his deathbed. I appreciate friends who have opened up on what is traditionally a difficult topic. Now that’s he’s gone, it’s time for me to look back, look at the now, and also, to the future.
I’ve had a strange relationship with that part of life. Death, I mean. My mother died when I was 14, and I think when anyone who you have loved with some unknown part of you is gone, you don’t know what to say or how to react. You don’t have the words or experience. You just simply feel it with your entire body. The heaving that comes from your stomach, like part of your spirit is leaving your body, and the guilt that pours over you for not being able to do a damn thing about it. The memories that wash over you, like when he used to hit you baseballs after a long day in the fields, the last trips you took to visit relatives up in Wisconsin, the conversations about daytime talk shows, how you suspended time for just a little bit to play and experience love, not just read about it, or talk about it, or simply fail to understand it when it’s in front of you.
But you know, even with all those words, experiences, memories, at this time it’s ok to keep it simple, as Dad probably would have wanted. I love you Dad. When you get to the bar up there (and I know you’ll find it) and St. Peter is serving you, I know you’ll ask for a Bud Lite and some pickle cards, and feel right at home. Godspeed
Love,
Jayde