Donald Eugene Ankrom of Falls City, Nebraska, passed away on the morning of September 5, 2017 at the Falls City Healthcare Community. He was born west of Falls City on July 10, 1929 to the late Leonard and Minnie Stokes Ankrom.
Don grew up in the Barada, Verdon and Shubert areas of Richardson County. On November 13, 1955, he married Marceile Nutzman in Tucumcari, New Mexico. They lived in Long Beach, California for a short time. After the birth of their first son, they returned to the Falls City area to be near family. They had four more children and lived in Richardson County the rest of their lives. Marceile passed away in 1986.
Don is best remembered as a house mover and a gifted mechanic. He farmed and did demolition and construction work, as well. His largest demolition projects were the Catholic Church and the Falls City Ice House. His family was such an important part of his life. Nothing made him happier than having kids around. They frequently worked alongside him. When his grandchildren came along, they did the same, learning and laughing along the way.
In 1972, Don planned to move a house from Falls City, to his farm location three miles south of Falls City. The bridge south of Falls City was too narrow to allow passage, so he placed two tubes in the river and covered the ice with dirt. The house was hurriedly moved across the river just as the dam began crumbling. The house was taken on up the hill to the place it sits now on 703 Loop. Don lived there with his family the rest of his life.
He is survived by two sons, Donnie and his wife Robin, and Lonnie and his wife Nannette, both of Salem, three daughters, Gayle and Tom Weinert, Connie and Jerry Feek, both of Falls City, and Julie and Bryan Clark of Overland Park, Kansas. He leaves behind eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Abby Feek of Nehawka, Jacob and Jami (Rutt) Ankrom and their children Lynnley and Emersyn of Falls City, Sarah and Jake Huppert of Olathe, KS, Marci Ankrom of Falls City, Heather Feek and Kyle Kirkendall of Falls City, Jesse Weinert of Kansas City, Missouri, Allan Feek of Omaha, Sophia Weinert of Overland Park, KS, Taylor, Riley and Garrett Clark of Overland Park, KS.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marceile, his parents, eight brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 65502 715 Road in Falls City, NE 68355. There will be a luncheon and a visitation following the service. The family requests memorials to the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation (lbda.org), St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or family choice. For flowers, please contact Hometown Floral at 245-2200 in Falls City. Memorials to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or family choice should be directed in c/o Gayle Weinert, 70682 656 Ave, Falls City, Ne 68355.
