Dr. Donald LeRoy Nordberg

Dr. Donald L. Nordberg, 90, longtime Lexington Optometrist, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. He was born March 24, 1919, at Kansas City, Missouri and was adopted by John and Lillie (Robinson) Nordberg. He was raised in Northboro, Iowa and was educated in Coin, Iowa, graduating in 1936. Don helped on the family farm where they raised hogs, cattle and corn. He had many stories he told his grandchildren about his experiences growing up on the farm. He attended undergraduate college in Maryville, Missouri at Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College until his induction in the United States Army in 1941. He met Lois Colvin and they dated for 3 years before he went overseas. They became engaged but broke it off when Donald went overseas. They became reacquainted after the war. Donald proposed marriage and offered Lois 2 choices – either return to the family farm or help put him through Optometry school. Lois quickly agreed to the optometry option. Donald was in the Medical Detachment of the 255th Infantry. As a medic he helped both ally and enemy soldiers. During the Battle of the Bulge he worked in a field hospital as an ENT. Upon returning to the United States he married Lois in Indianapolis on August 29, 1945. He attended the Illinois College of Optometry graduating from there in March of 1949. They moved to Omaha and opened his first practice in the Benson area. They moved to Lexington on January 19, 1951. Donald joined the practice with Dr. Joe Olson and soon daughter Jill arrived in 1951, and Jan came in 1953. Donald and Lois spent the remainder of their lives in Lexington. They had many friends that they travelled with, played Bridge with, went to dance club with and had supper club with. The couple were avid Husker fans attending all home games and some away games. In later years they would never miss a game on TV. He loved gardening and could spend up to 8 hours a day in his yard. He was very proud of his home and garden. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed sharing his stories of farm life and the war years. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved the life he created with Lois. Donald is survived by his two daughters: Jill (Don) Ziebell of Lexington, Nebraska Jan (Dan) Freese of Kearney, Nebraska One sister: Doris Marie Culver of Niles, Illinois Five grandchildren: Kevin (Shannon) Ziebell of Hickman, Nebraska; Kim (Doug) Glaze of Lexington, Nebraska; Dru, Ali & Max Freese of Kearney, Nebraska Four great-grandchildren: Chase & Hunter Ziebell of Hickman, Nebraska and Jordyn & Ethan Glaze of Lexington, Nebraska Don was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Lois in 2008. Memorial Services will be Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Todd Karges and John Craig officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be held prior to the Memorial Service at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Dawson County Historical Society Museum or the Donor’s Choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.