Donald Ray Jenkins

Donald “Don” Ray Jenkins, 80 years of age, of Ogallala, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Perkins County Hospital in Grant, Nebraska.  Don was born March 16, 1941, in Manhattan, Kansas.  He was the first of seven children, born to Donald and Edna (Latschar) Jenkins.  He graduated from Bunker Hill High School in Kansas, graduating with the class of 1958.  He attended Omaha Baptist Bible College from 1958 to 1960.  It was there that he met the love of his life.

On March 18, 1962, he was united in marriage to Doris Petersen at the First Baptist Church in Walnut, Iowa.  In 2022, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  Their union was blessed with five children:  John, Mark, Brian, Jill, and Julie. 

Being a jack of all trades, Don worked in many different positions.  His longest stint, being with Regier Land Improvement for 27 years – where he specialized in heavy equipment operation.  He spent some time as a business owner, running “The Lamp Stand” – a popular coffee shop / Christian bookstore in downtown Ogallala.  Most recently, he worked in retail for True Value and Bomgaars.

Don was a member of the Berean Church of Ogallala for many years.  There, he served on boards, as an adult Sunday School teacher, and a leader of Bible studies groups.  But he was most proud of the 37 years that he served leading and directing the church choir.

Aside from work and church, Don loved spending time with family and enjoyed fishing.  He was most blessed when he was doing both – going on fishing or boating excursions with his family at every opportunity.  In addition, he was also a very talented artist – working over the years with paint, stained glass, and most recently, beautiful wood working.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Ogallala; his siblings, Virginia Bates, of Blue Rapids, KS, Patricia Peterson, of Battle Lake, MN, Delma (Rodger) Baker, of Hansen, ID, Jerry (David) Schuhs, of Olpe, KS, Charlotte (Garry) Nutter, of Littleton, CO, and Lois (Jarrel) Moore, of Jerome, ID; his children, John Jenkins, of Boulder, CO, Mark Jenkins, of Costa Mesa, CA, Brian (Lori) Jenkins, of Kearney, Jill (Steve) Max of Ogallala, and Julie (Greg) Stokes, of Sidney; his grandchildren, Lexi, Joshua, Hannah, Devon, & Logan; Collin & Miranda; Stephanie (Jon), Amber (fiancé, Don), Conner (Rachel), & Jade; Jonathon, Taylor, Natalie, Samantha, & Jessica; and great grandchildren, Elliana & Augustus.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 26, from 9am – 6pm, with the family greeting from 4-6pm, at Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, August 27, at 10am at New Hope Church in Ogallala. with Rev. Mark Carlton and Rev. Eric Wait, officiating.   Internment will take place in the Ogallala Cemetery.  A memorial has been established in Don’s honor, and is kindly suggested to the New Hope Church in Ogallala.

Online condolences may be sent by clicking on the "Share a Memory" button or by clicking on the Tribute Wall and choosing Sentiment.

Internment in the Ogallala Cemetery following the service.

Services may be watched via live stream from our website by clicking the Watch Live button at the time of the service,  or from  New Hope Church of Ogalla's website.

We will post a recorded copy of the service soon after the service has ended. This update will be posted to Facebook for your convenience.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is has been entrusted with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.