Christian Biography of Don Calahan

Done G Calahan, the son of Charley and Ruby (Young) Calahan, was born on January 23, 1936 in Nampa, Idaho. His mother wanted to name him Donney but for whatever reason she spelled his name Done, which became the family joke all of his life. He passed away on January 24, 2025 at the Brodstone Healthcare at Superior, Nebraska at the age of 89 years and 1 day.

His dad moved around a lot looking for ground to rent taking them to the Superior, Nelson, Nora and Oak, Nebraska. Don kind of liked farming with horses, but I think at the time he much preferred the tractor his dad bought. When he was in high school, his dad quit farming and moved to Deshler, so Don took on odd jobs. He graduated from Deshler High School in 1954.

After graduation he married Rosa Deterding on November 9, 1957, at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Deshler. This union was blessed with four children. When they joined St. Peters Lutheran church, Don was baptized and confirmed. After Vicki and Scott were born they moved to Crete, where he tried his hand at trucking and running heavy equipment. Later they relocated to Deshler and then Carleton, where they bought their first home. He worked grading roads and running heavy equipment. He later earned journeyman's license in electricity. He retired from Crete Carrier where he earned the 2-million-mile accident free award.  He served on the Zion Lutheran Church council and the Carleton Village Board, and was a member of the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Throughout his lifetime, Don lived in the communities of Burr Oak, KS, Nampa, ID, Oak, Deshler, Crete. Carleton and Superior, NE.

His hobby was woodworking and all of his kids and grandkids have a handmade cedar chest to treasure. He loved driving trucks and taking Rosa and especially his grandkids along with him. Due to failing eyesight he was forced to give up his hobbies and his ability to drive. He sold his home and moved to Superior where the Vestey Center became his home. There he continued to make new friends and renew old friendships until the day he passed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charley and Ruby, wife Rosa on September 12, 2020; son Scott; daughter Lisa (Erin) Parkhurst; grandchildren Lane Ough and Trinity Parkhurst and half-sisters Elizabeth Clark and Vera Crow.

Survivors include his children Vicki (Robert) Williams of Superior and Bruce (Jean) Calahan of Utica; daughter in law Nancy Calahan of Chandler AZ, ten grandchildren: Stephanie (Mark) Thayer, Dan (Becky Matulka) Williams, Joel (Sarah) Calahan, Nathaniel (Theresa) Calahan, Amy (Jacob) Rust, Melissa (Anton) Calahan-Vintonyuk, Katie (Jesse Millspaugh) Calahan, John (Autumn) Calahan, Becky (Godfrey Lim) Calahan, and Emilee Calahan; sixteen great grandchildren: Wyatt (Nicole) Thayer, Mackinley (Tristan) Sis, Ezra Calahan, August Calahan, Silas Calahan, Henry Rowland, Nathaniel Calahan, Willimena Calahan, Maxwell Rust, Miles Rust, Ryan Gonzalez, Matthew Vintonyuk, Craig Bennett, Zachary Bennett, Henry Millspaugh and Donny Lim; two great great grandchildren: Laramie Thayer and Emerson Sis and expecting baby Thayer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: Zion Lutheran Church, Carleton, Nebraska
Time of Service: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10:30 am
Clergy: Rev. Beth Roegner
Burial:  Carleton City Cemetery, Carleton, Nebraska
Memorials to: Superior Rescue Unit, the Vestey Center or Family Choice
Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900