Donald Wayne Schroetlin, 89

Former Sutton, NE, resident Donald Wayne Schroetlin, 89, of Arizona, passed away on February 6, 2026, at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ. Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Federated Church in Sutton, NE, with Pastor Edison Toe officiating. Private family interment will be at the Sutton Cemetery. In honoring Don’s wishes, there will not be a visitation or viewing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Bread Box Food Pantry, PO Box 662, Sutton, NE 68979. Don was born on October 10, 1936, to Theodore “Hiway Ted” and Beulah (Neel) Schroetlin in Hastings, NE. He graduated from Sutton Public Schools and continued his education at Southeast Community College, studying diesel mechanics. He was a member of the Army Reserves and National Guard. His first few years out of school were spent in Omaha before coming home to Sutton to help with the family business, Ted’s Hiway Service and Café, and, later, expanding the trucking business, Schroetlin Tank Line, Inc. In 1959, Don met (Mabel) Dianne Flickinger at a local dance hall. They were married in Shickley in 1960. His most vivid memory was that of seeing Dianne walk down the aisle on their wedding day. They were married for 64 years before her passing in December 2024. After retirement in 1991, they adapted to the life of being snowbirds. Their winters were spent in Sun City West playing golf, card and game playing, and Laughlin trips (where $20 was their limit to spend on the machines). Summers spent in Sutton where they enjoyed a mow-free (rock) yard, coffees and socializing as well as taking tours of farmland. In 2018, Sun City West became their permanent home. Don’s legacy is a life of dedication, strength, and integrity. He provided for his family doing whatever was needed, whether it be driving a semi, mechanical work, or running to get parts. Some of his children’s favorite memories involve rides in the 18-wheeler, Sunday trips to the lake, road trips, and biennial trips to a warm-weather location. He was a kid at heart, with a passion for visiting places of interest, especially Disney locations. His favorite ride was the merry-go-round, even after all of his children had grown. Don was a member of the Sutton Federated Church and Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, Sun City West, Arizona. He volunteered at their church, making sandwiches for homeless veterans, folding and stuffing church bulletins and letter mailings, and helping the church wherever Mom found a need. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Beulah Schroetlin; wife, Dianne; daughter, Brenda Thompson; and brothers-in-law, Steve Good; Arnold Toben; Rupert Stahr; and Marvin Johnson. He is survived by his daughters, Connie (Ted) Dolezal; Debra Adams; Dee (Michael) Van Donselaar; son, Jacob (Celeste) Schroetlin; 6 grandchildren, Casey Beechum; Alex Van Donselaar; Lydia Martinez all of Arizona; Katie Van Donselaar of Nebraska; Maddison Schroetlin of New Mexico; Creighton Thompson of Colorado; 3 great-grandchildren, William Schroetlin; Kennedy Van Donselaar; and Gianna Beechum; sisters, Marilyn Toben; Judy Good; Janie (Lloyd) Wenzl; and Terri (Dana) Fisher; sisters-in-law, Joanne Stahr and Jeanne Johnson; and brother-in-law, Bill (Nancy) Flickinger.

Tributes

Donald Wayne Schroetlin, 89

October 10, 1936 - February 6, 2026