Harold Joseph Palmer was born September 8, 1930 to Chester and Viola (White) Palmer in Homer, Nebraska. He passed away March 22, 2024 at the Wisner Care Center with his wife by his side.
When he was young, he and his family moved to rural Lyons where they farmed. He attended Lyons school where he was a star running back for the football team. His love of football stayed with him throughout his life. Harold and Donna had season tickets for the Nebraska Football Team for over 50 years. They attend the football games with his Uncle Bill and Aunt Alberta Palmer. They often traveled to many of the away games as well. Harold and Bill always had a few opinions about the plays that were called during the games.
On December 27, 1950, he married Donna Rae Christensen, his high school sweetheart, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Lyons. He was a lifelong member. Harold served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Lyons VFW and American Legion. Thank you to Jerry Ludwig and the rest of the members for keeping Harold so involved.
They moved to Fremont, Nebraska where their daughter, Darla Rae Palmer (George) was born in 1951. Harold took a job with Northwestern Bell and they moved to Papillion, Nebraska where their son, Duane Willard joined the family in 1958. They lived in Papillion until 1980 when Harold and Donna moved back to rural Lyons. He loved being in the country where he had a small cow herd of Polled Herefords.
Harold retired in 1992 with 36 years of service with the phone company. He enjoyed helping area farmers during harvest and most of all he loved being with friends and family. Harold helped Duane’s family many times with their cattle. He has also helped Drew with his cattle. There was not a person that he could not start a conversation with and make it seem like they were best friends.
Harold loved to brag about his grandchildren whether it was after a sporting event or showing their 4-H livestock projects. They were hardly out of the arena when Harold would call Donna and let her know how they did. This love carried on to his 5 great grandchildren. Watching Ian play baseball, Ella playing softball, Kaden and Kane playing football and basketball, and Delanie just entertaining great-grandpa.
Harold is survived by his wife Donna of 73 years; son, Duane (Karen) of Wisner; grandchildren: Lesley (George) Jenkins and her children Ian and Ella, Emily (Steven) Kumm and their children Kaden and Kane, Drew (Deanna) Palmer and their daughter Delanie, Melissa (George) Oltrogge; sister, Lauretta (Chris) Dixon of Columbus; and several nieces and nephews.
Harold is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, his daughter Darla Rae and her husband William (Bill) George, grandson Micheal Jenkins.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 11 am, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Lyons
VISITATION: Tuesday, 5-7 pm at Pelan Funeral Services in Lyons
BURIAL WITH MILITARY HONORS: Lyons Cemetery
MEMORIALS: Lyons Veterans or the American Cancer Society
