Donald Lee Hemje was born June 25, 1934 at his parent's farm home near Hildreth, NE. He was the 7th child of Fooke and Minnie (Keiser) Hemje. He passed away on Sunday September 16, 2012 at the Syracuse Good Samaritan Center. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hildreth, NE. He graduated from Hildreth High School, and Kearney State Teachers College. He served two years in the Army. He returned to college and met his wife Pat. They were married August 10, 1958 at the Saronville Methodist Church, Saronville, NE. Don taught school and coached in Dorrance, KS. and Byron, NE. In 1968 he moved his family to Syracuse to work for an insurance company. He was a member of Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the Rescue Squad. Don served on Church Council, and sang in choir. He enjoyed family gatherings, wood working, and fishing. His life was devoted to his family.

Surviving are Sons: Craig & Tammi and boys Nathan & Aaron Hemje of Syracuse, NE; Clark & Amy Hemje of Unadilla, NE; 3 sisters Lucille Wilken, Doris Friedrichs, Sherry & Gary Alberts. Sisters-in-law Eunice & Lavon Bienhoff, Florence & husband Arnold Quadhamer; Brother-in-law, Jim Purdy; Also many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his wife Pat, daughter Jodi, parents, sisters: Jane Warnken & Darlene Purdy, brothers: Alfred Hemje & Lamoine Hemje, brothers-in-law, Elmer Wilken, Irvin Warnken and Mel Friedrichs, Nephews: Monty Warnken, Steve Hemje, Jim Purdy Jr. and niece, Marilyn Albers.

Funeral Services will be Thursday September 20, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Syracuse, Nebraska. There will be private family burial.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 19, 2012 from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. with family greeting friends from 5:30 until 7 P.M. at the funeral home.

Family suggests memorials to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Good Samaritan Center or the Syracuse Senior Center.


Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441