Donald E. Wrieth
August 13, 1948- February 19, 2025
Don was very proud of his 40-year-career with Kiewit Construction Company. He started as an engineer in the Mining District and retired in 2015 as Marketing and Business Development Manager for the Kiewit Building Group. He loved to talk all things Kiewit.
Don led the Durham School Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC) for over 25 years. He grew the group to over 40 members, impacting the school through curriculum, recruitment, fundraising and scholarship. He planned annual events such as golf outings, sporting clay events and awards banquets that raised money for the Tradition of Excellence Scholarship fund which he established. To date, this fund has awarded over 100 student scholarships. He was also engaged in the classroom teaching, developing courses and encouraging industry leaders to do the same.
Don was also an active and involved member of the Exchange Club of Omaha for the past 35 years. He served as President of the Club, was a member of the Board of Directors and the Club’s Acting Secretary for many years.
Don was a driving force for the Exchange Club’s annual “Tee Off Against Child Abuse” golf fundraiser and instrumental in making that event a huge success.
He was affectionately referred to as the “Grumpy Old Man”, but he was a great leader and mentor and had a passion for helping the construction industry, the school and young people.
Golf was also his passion. So much so that he was called the “Commish” or “Czar” by his buddies. He organized weekly golf outings (everyone was welcomed until they won; then their handicaps were adjusted!), couples’ outings, winter golf get-aways and various charity golf events.
He was proud of his golf league spreadsheets and not afraid to tell anyone they were sandbaggers. But he was also always around to be the first to help anyone figure out how to do things better—whether on the golf course, professionally, or in their personal lives.
He had a way of uniting people in worthy causes he believed in. His penchant for history, for detail in all things, and his loyalty to his friends and family are a few things his legacy is built upon. He was always true to himself and his beliefs.
Thanks to Jackie’s connections, Don was able to play Augusta National Golf Club not only once, but a dozen times. He loved that course, and he especially loved to brag to anyone that he played The National.
Don didn’t go anywhere without running into someone he knew or someone who knew someone he knew. And, if that wasn’t the case, he made new lifelong friends.
His knowledge was endless. He was a walking trivia book/human encyclopedia, especially with Omaha history. You could ask him anything and he’d have an answer—or definitely an opinion.
He was passionate about enjoying life—whether it was with his family or friends—or just watching old westerns, Below Deck, The Curse of Oak Island, Molly B Polka Party, any history program or his favorite movies like Porky’s, Pure Country or The Sandlot for the 100th time with his lap buddy, Tucker.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Don, Sr. and Maxine Wrieth. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; his brother, John Wrieth (Jody); his sister, Ruthanne Dimmock-Revers (Henry); his three children, Holli Wrieth, Kris Wrieth (Rich Groves) and Mitch Wrieth (Stephanie).
Don has six grandchildren: Amanda, Keegan, Tyler, Kinzey, Kaci and Robert, and a great- grandchild on the way.
Memorials suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish a scholarship fund in his name for Construction Management students.
Memorials may be sent and payable to:
The University of Nebraska Foundation
1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300
Lincoln NE 68508 f
(include “Don Wrieth Memorial” in the memo on your check)
Online: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01159910/
Add Don’s name in the additional comments section or click the “add tribute” button and complete that section.
We were more because of him, and less with his departure.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 11:00AM-2:00PM at Happy Hollow Club, 1701 S. 105th St., Omaha.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
27 Comments
My sincere condolences for your loss.
My heart goes out to all of you. Great memories
Don will be missed!
Jackie, Holli and family, I am so very sorry to see this. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate this sad time. ~Robin Mauch (State Farm)
Prayers to the Wrieth family during this difficult time. Donald sounded like an amazing man who had some incredible accomplishments.
Heaven gained a good one! I was truly blessed to have spent many hours of quality time with Don during my tenure at Kiewit. I learned so much from Don both about life and the History of Omaha. I am grateful that he was part of my life during my time in Omaha. Your goodness and positivity will live on through all those who were fortunate to have known you. Hold a tee time for me! God Bless Jackie and Don’s family.
Such a wonderful man. RIP. To the family, sorry for you loss. He now free of all his pain and back with his parents.
I am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed getting to know Don through his work on the CIAC. What a great man. His impact on the students of the Construction Programs at the University of Nebraska has been immense and will still be felt for decades because of his efforts. He will be sorely missed. – Brandon Kreiling – UNL
Don will be missed! A good friend!!! Prayers to the family!
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Don’s smile and support will be greatly missed.
George Morcous, UNL
We at Good Karma are thinking about you and Tucker. Prayers of healing are sent your way.
With much love..
The GK crew
Our sincere condolences to the entire Wrieth family.
Prayers for divine comfort and added strength as you endure this difficult trial.
Love, Andrea, Ken, Jacob & Matthew
Jackie,
I am so sorry to learn of Don’s passing. God’s Blessings to you and Don’s family.
Our hearts are with you all. Sorry for your loss.
Great Blue Moon work out friend and golf buddy
Don and I graduated from Central High and were acquainted but didn’t hang out. But, later in life we got together not surprisingly at a golf charity event. The event enjoyed the most was his CHS
Golf match between 66 verses 65. Dinner at Casino after. Don was a terrific guy, generous and compassionate. Don, now you’ll be able to hit a one iron just like the boss upstairs.Rip my friend.
Gary Domet
CHS 1966
We remember Don as a warm and welcoming person. Full of sass who could take it as well as give it. We will miss playing golf with him. Our hearts go out to Jackie and the family.
We remember Don as a warm and welcoming person. Full of sass who could take it as well as give it. We will miss playing golf with him.our thoughts are with you at this time of loss.
Don will be missed by many. He was very special.
My deepest sympathy to Don’s family at this sad time. Don is the reason we have a wonderful 2016 Central High directory for the Class of 1966. He searched out classmates who had been missing for decades. He used all the technology tricks to locate people and find pictures of them. And he never let on to others that we wouldn’t have had it without his dedication. I know he enjoyed the process as much as the product as it allowed him to talk to folks all over the country who walked the halls of CHS with us. As we plan the 60th reunion, it will be with a heavy heart that he is only with us in spirit. Plus, we’ll have to find our own jokes to put on the website. His light-hearted teasing was a delight and will be long remembered.
I enjoyed getting to know Don through our work together on the CIAC over the last few years. This write up for Don really hits the nail on the head. My condolences go out to Don’s family and friends and they should be proud of the man he was.
Condolences to the family. Don was definitely one of the good guys at CHS (never forget Sandy’s Escape) and I’ll miss our banter at the reunions.
My condolences for your loss. I wish I could be there on Thursday to celebrate his life with you and his many friends. Our golfing outings will never be the same without him. His smile and sense of humor always made each day special. I am proud that he called me a friend. He will be sincerely missed but never forgotten! God bless him, your family and all the people he touched throughout his life’s journey.
Where does one begin when you you lose one of the best friends a man could ever have in life. Donnie and I graduated a year a part from Omaha Central High. We played slow pitch softball many, many years together and eventually won a city championship in our division. After those softball years, we shared many years playing golf in a league at Fox Run Golf Course in Council Bluffs. Donnie was the chief organizer for all of our softball and golf years. He was a kind and compassionate man who truly enjoyed life. Most importantly, he loved being with his family and friends. He made all of our lives better for knowing him. I miss Don very much. He will always have a special place in my heart. My sincere sympathy to his wife Jackie and his children. .
Don has been a great friend continuously over many years. We will miss his friendship, his organizing abilities and his “Czar” personality on golf outings. RIP, friend.
Don was a pillar of our industry and someone I respect tremendously. I was shaken to hear of his passing. He gave me some of the best career advice many years ago that I still refer back to. Thank you for being one of the good guys! God Bless Don’s family and friends and peace to you all.
Jackie, John, Ruth and family, So sorry for your loss. Donnie was a loveable curmudgeon. One of a kind, and like you, I will miss him greatly. Thoughts and prayers!
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