Donald Ralph Felber, 67

Former Clay Center, NE resident Donald Ralph Felber, 67, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society- Grand Island Village in Grand Island, NE. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 12, 2024, at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Clay Center, NE with Pastor Jeff Jensen officiating. In honoring his wishes cremation will take place following the service. Visitation with the family present will be Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Clay Center, NE. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be directed later. Donald Ralph Felber was born on July 23, 1956, to Ralph and Beverly (Anderson) Felber. Donald grew up in Coleridge Nebraska and had 5 siblings, Dave, Doug, Dean, Deb, and Dan. He was married to Cheryl Meirose from 1977 to 2015. While married, they lived in a number of places chasing dreams and money including Coleridge, Hartington, Bloomfield, but lived the longest in Clay Center, NE. There he worked at the Meat Animal Research Center for 30 years, was a farm hand for many years, farmed his own ground for several years, and ran his roofing business on the side for many years until he became ill in 2014. Don battled health issues from 2014 until kidney failure finally took him to his forever home on July 6th, 2024. Don had 3 kids with Cheri: Kelly (Maegan) Felber, Dixie (Dale) Schliep, and Courtney (Nick) Olson. He had 4 grandchildren, Calie Schliep, Aisley Schliep, Kaleah Olson, and Kanton Olson. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Ralph and Beverly Felber. Dad was loud, bold, and opinionated, but loved deeper and stronger than anyone I ever knew. He was tough physically, and emotionally, and worked more hours in a day than his kids could usually stay awake. Somehow despite all those working hours though, he always found time to come to every ball game, concert, and any other event every one of his kids had and was always the loudest and proudest dad in the room; and then later would do the same becoming only a bit quieter but still the proudest grandpa in the room. Life lessons were one of his favorite things to teach us, which he often did at the dining room table during dinner. He loved hard and disciplined hard, and in turn, raised 3 grown children who turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! He loved rodeos, basketball, husker football, farming, horses, a cold beer, any sport his grandchildren did, and he would even “chase the little white ball around the course” once in a while. He had a sharp tongue and a tight hug. He spoke his mind, had more integrity than anyone I have ever known and would give anyone the shirt off of his back. To know dad was to love him for who he was cussing and teasing. He knew those that loved him were the ones he wanted to be surrounded by, and they always knew he would be the first one to help in a time of need. His size may have been intimidating to some, but his heart was bigger. He was a member of the volunteer fire department for several years, and it was always his highlight to referee the demo derby every year. The last few years were the toughest on dad, becoming more ill, and less mobile. But despite all of his problems, he always had a smile on his face when he saw his kids or grandkids. He will be so dearly missed by all of us, but we all know he is no longer in pain.

Tributes

Donald Ralph Felber, 67

July 23, 1956 - July 6, 2024