Donald A. Smydra

Don Anton Smydra, 84, of Boelus, Nebraska, passed away on November 2, 2024, at CHI St. Francis in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 P.M. on Friday, November 8th, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, Nebraska.  A Rosary will follow at 7:00 P.M.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 9th, also at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.  Father Vince Parsons will be presiding.  Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting Don’s family.

Don was born on June 29th, 1940, in Loup City, Nebraska at Sacred Heart Hospital to Anton and Millie (Starkey) Smydra.  He grew up on the family farm west of Farwell.  He attended Farwell High School where he graduated in 1957 at the age of 16.  Following graduation, he continued to farm with his dad and also farmed an 80 acre farm which he later purchased on his own, better known as “Sophies”.

He married the love of his life, Cecelia Kosmicki in September of 1963.  They purchased the family farm after four years of marriage. From this union, they were blessed in their first twenty years together with nine children: Theresa, Daniel, Nancy, Susan, Tammy, David, Dennis, Joseph, and Michael.

He was a proud member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and served two terms on the school board. Don enjoyed taking the long way home from Sunday mass and listening to Polka music on the radio.  His family shared in his love of a great Polka celebration.   He was also a member of the Central Nebraska Antique Tractor and Equipment Club and drove his tractors in several downtown parades.

Don and Cecelia operated a fully diversified farm including dairy cows, beef, pigs, all forms of poultry, peacocks, guineas, donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, or anything else that “accidentally” got brought home....  Of these, he had a special passion for the beef cows and his dog companions.  In his younger years, Don was very involved in supporting his children with their various 4-H and FFA projects.  He enjoyed cutting and baling hay, riding his motorcycles / ATVs, and especially working on any type of tractors and equipment with his sons.  In the evenings, he would relax by reading farm magazines and researching farm and equipment sales online.

Don is survived by Cecelia, his wife of 61 years; sons, Daniel (Cara) Smydra, David (Natasha) Smydra, Dennis (Tara) Smydra, Joseph (Kerin) Smydra and Michael Smydra; daughters, Theresa Smydra Risinger, Nancy (Clark) Mosier, Susan Smydra (fiancé, Ray Paslawski), and Tammy (Randy) Timms; sister, Joanne (Wayne) Rieker; grandchildren, Loren (Allana) Smydra, Kyle (Katie) Smydra, Rachelle (Blake) Beideck, Venessa (Tyler) Petersen, Kordel Smydra, Ross Mosier, Ryan (Dannica) Mosier, Josh Mosier, Garrison (Madeleine) Krotz, Celia Timms, Brittain (Cassidy) Timms, Megan (David) Zimmerman, Callista (Peter) Kaminski, Wyatt Smydra, Kale Smydra, and Karina Smydra; great-grandchildren, Ella, Bentley, Jasper, Alice, Jack, Scarlett, Lucas, Madison, Emma, Dylan and two more on the way; and a nephew, Jeff (Cayle) Townsend.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Smydra; brother-in-law, Ernie Kosmicki; son-in-law, Stan Risinger; and his dearest friend and mentor, Henry Obermiller.

Memorials are suggested to the Volunteer Fire Departments and EMTs of Dannebrog, Boelus, Farwell, and Elba; and also to Heart of the Nation Catholic Mass.