Donald "Don" Lee Jelinek

Donald (Don) Lee Jelinek, 85 of Omaha, died Sunday, January 28, 2024 in Omaha with his loving family at his side. Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 AM Friday, February 2nd at the First Presbyterian Church. Reverend Kevin Geurink will officiate. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Marine Corps and United Veterans Honor Guard. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page. Private family burial of ashes will be in the Westlawn Cemetery. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, the Grand Island Salvation Army or Heartland United Way. Don was born on August 13, 1938 in Grand Island the son of George and Mildred (Burgherr) Jelinek. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High and received his BA from Doane College. He met the love of his life, Sharon Hill while in college. They married June 4, 1960 in Omaha and this union was blessed with children, Cheryl, Randy, Ron and Christina. Don was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in June 1960. He was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant on June 1, 1963. Following the military, he and Sharon moved to Grand Island where he could work with his father in the hardware business. In addition to his responsibilities of managing a family hardware store, Don served on the National Ace Hardware Board of Directors from 1976 - 1981. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Retail Hardware Association and served as president of the association from 2000 – 2001. Don served on the Board of Directors of Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, was a past president of the Central Nebraska Goodwill Industries, the Board of Directors of Grand Island Rotary, the Industrial Foundation, St. Francis Medical Foundation, Reynolds Foundation and the Grand Island Community Foundation. Don enjoyed hunting with his dogs, golfing, boating, traveling and being with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed family gatherings with all the interactions of the family members. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Sharon; children, Cheryl (Grant) Hansen of Ames, NE, Randy (Tonya) Jelinek of Grand Island, Ron (Dana) Jelinek of Grand Island and Christina (Michael) Diers of Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren, Owen Hansen, Jordan (Sunya) Hansen, Nathan Hansen, Griffin (Ashley) Jelinek, Lea (Daniel) Meyer, Avery Jelinek, Kerrigen Jelinek, Henry Diers, George Diers and Grace Diers; great grandchildren, Emma Jelinek, Ava Jelinek, Ellie Jelinek, Addie Jelinek and Drew Meyer. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Randall, Howard and David.

Donald "Don" Lee Jelinek

August 13, 1938 - January 28, 2024

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Donald "Don" Lee Jelinek

August 13, 1938 - January 28, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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