Donald Placke

Former Hastings resident, Donald P. H. Placke, 77, of Hamilton Manor, Aurora, Nebraska, died Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at Hamilton Manor.

Services will be Monday, November 13, 2006; 10:30 A.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel with Rev. Joel Remmers officiating. Burial with Military Rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations will be in Blue Valley Cemetery, Ayr, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday, November 10, 2006; 5PM-9PM, Saturday, November 11, 2006; 9AM-9PM, Sunday, November 12, 2006; 1PM-9PM at the funeral Home. Memorials to First St. Paul's Lutheran Church or Alzheimers Association.

Mr. Placke was born February 12, 1929 in rural Adams County, near Juniata, Nebraska to Fred E. & Clara Nina (Alber) Placke. He graduated from Juniata High School in 1947. He moved with his family to Edgar, Nebraska where they farmed and he later took over the family farm. He attended Signal School at Camp Gordon Georgia. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from April 17, 1951 until April 7, 1953. He was a Corporal and earned the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and United Nations Service Medal. He moved to Edgar after his retirement and in 2001, he moved to Hastings, Nebraska and resided at The Kensington. Later he moved to Perkins Pavilion and in 2004 to the Hamilton Manor in Aurora. He was a past member of Church of the Plains in Edgar and later at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hastings. Mr. Placke was an avid Husker fan and a member of the V.F.W. in Deweese, Nebraska.

Mr. Placke was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert Placke & one niece, Debra Boom.

Survivors include:
Sister & Brother-in-law: JoAnn & Eugene Mertens - Hastings, NE
Nieces: Kelly Boom - Hastings, NE
Sandra Placke - Hastings, NE
Nephew: David Boom - Elkhorn, NE