Donald Dean Stange

Donald Dean Stange, 86, of Cairo, Nebraska passed away March 18, 2025, at home. A Graveside Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery south of Cairo, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the arrangements. 

Don was born December 23, 1938, in Cairo to Henry "Bus" and Dorothy (Roberts) Stange. He attended Cairo schools and graduated from Cairo High School in 1956.

He attended college for one semester at Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska, then transferred to Fairbury Nebraska Junior College graduating in 1958. Don then attended & graduated from Peru State Teachers College, Peru, Nebraska.

Don's first teaching & coaching position was in Creston, Nebraska in 1960 where he coached football, basketball & track for three years. He taught & coached football, basketball & track in Polk, Nebraska for two years. Don taught & & coached football & track in Stanton, Nebraska for two years.

In 1967 he moved to Shenandoah, Iowa where he taught & coached until his retirement. Don had many very successful football teams where he coached. Eventually, he returned to Cairo & lived with his dad until his dad's passing & remained in the home.

In some of the summers Don attended Kearney State Teachers College in Kearney graduating with a master's degree in education. He also taught Driver's Education some summers both students and adults. Don was the manager of the swimming pools several summers in Creston & Stanton, Nebraska & Shenandoah, Iowa.

Don was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker Football fan, enjoyed playing cards, golf & listening to music at home.

He was married to Jolene Steeple from Ravenna. In later years they divorced. They had two daughters, Tracy Lamaestra of Bath, Maine and Jill Sykora of Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

Later Don married Connie Almquist of Coin, Iowa, they then divorced in later years. 

Survivors are, Tracy Lamaestra and Jill (David) Sykora. Preceding Don in death were his parents and brother Barry.

After the graveside service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, friends are invited to the Cairo United Methodist Church for lunch and fellowship with the family.