Donald L. Rohrich

Donald L Rohrich, 93, of Wood River died January 8, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital with his family by his side. A private family service will be held on Friday, January 15th with Pastor Trudy Hanke officiating. Family will be receiving visitors from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River, Nebraska. For the health and safety of those attending the visitation, social distancing and face masks are required.



In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Wood River, the Wood River Community Foundation, or the Wood River American Legion.



Donald was born in Kearney, Nebraska on November 3, 1927 to Adolph Rohrich and Mamie Klein Rohrich. His family moved from Pleasanton, Nebraska to the Wood River, Nebraska area, where he resided all his life. He attended District 27 Elementary School and graduated from Wood River High School in 1945. He was drafted into the Army to serve his country in 1951 during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Sargent and received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars. He was honorably discharged on January 20, 1953.

Donald was united in marriage to Inez M. King on March 14, 1958 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel. They lived in the Wood River area where the couple farmed until his retirement in 1992. They lived on the farm until 2004, when they moved into the town of Wood River.



He was a member of the Wood River First United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the VFW. He also served on the District 5 School Board and the Wood River Recreational Association. He was a member of the Saddle Club, the Liederkranz, and the Platt-Duetsche.

His hobbies included fishing, boating, and camping. They enjoyed many weekends at their cabin at Harlan Country Reservoir. Don and Inez liked to travel. They attended rallies as members of the Monaco Wannagos and enjoyed many trips across the United States. One of their favorites was their trip to Alaska. They enjoyed many winters in Mesa, Arizona and made many close friends.



They also enjoyed many motorhome trips with their family and grandchildren across the country. Don loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. He was an avid reader and always had a good book to read. After his retirement from farming in 1992, Don continued to use his mechanical skills at home, on the farm, or wherever needed.

As a long-time resident of Wood River, Don and Inez have many wonderful friendships and fond memories of their time in the community and surrounding areas.



Survivors include Inez, his wife of 62 years; daughter Trena (Terry) Boshart; son Curtis (Debra) Rohrich; and daughter Tracy (Phil) Watts all of Wood River. Grandchildren include Sam and Caci Boshart of Severance, CO; Lucas and Haley Boshart of Clancy, MT; Andrew Watts, Cassie Watts, Spencer Rohrich, Sydney Rohrich, and Beau Rohrich all of Wood River; one sister, Barbara (Riley) Sterling of Chino Valley, AZ.



Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty (Shorty) McDonald.