Donald George Cotner

Donald George Cotner

May 20, 1942 – December 1, 2019

Donald George Cotner was born on May 20, 1942 in York, Nebraska to Amzie G. Cotner and Cora I. (McGregor) Cotner.  He was united in Marriage to Ina M. (Otte) Cotner on June 27, 1965.  Two children were born from this marriage, Scott A. Cotner and Kimberly L. (Cotner) Sellmeyer.

Don grew up on a farm near York, NE and graduated from Benedict High School in 1960.  He attended Milford Vocational Technical School and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Diesel Mechanics.  He served in the Army National Guard for 6 years.  He worked for McClelland Farm Equipment in Hastings from 1962 to 1964 and then for York County in the York County Shop from 1964-1966.  In 1966 he was hired on at Champion Enterprises.  In 1973 he was promoted to the Atlantic Homes Division of Champion Enterprises in Central City, NE.  He was promoted again and tapped to lead the organization for 21 and a half years before retiring in September 2000.

Don is survived by his wife, Ina; daughter, Kim Sellmeyer (Kerry); Five grandchildren: Victoria Masat (Andrew), Kaylee Frey (Calvin), Bladyn Cotner, Kaden and Kenna Sellmeyer; two step-grandchildren, Austin and Shylee Willard; four great-grandchildren: Nathan and Natalie Masat, Alaric and Jensen Frey; and sister, Virginia Richardson (Ronald).

Don was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Scott.

Don has also stayed close to his son’s widow, Jennifer Cotner Samuels, and her new family, Elliot, Kingston, Koco and Kyasia.

Don enjoyed traveling by car and visited every State in the Union.  Hawaii, the one state he couldn’t drive to, was the one he enjoyed the most.  Don also enjoyed yard work and he loved gardening, once having a ‘small’ backyard garden that was at least an acre.  Don endured over 40 surgeries in his lifetime and earned a reputation as the ‘Energizer Bunny,’ because of his ability to just keep going.  He would heal and get back to work.  Don was a handyman and could devise clever and efficient ways to accomplish many tasks!  After retiring, he and his wife moved to Omaha to be closer to his grandchildren and one of his new favorite past-times became watching Husker football with his grandson.

Don was a member of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Seniors for the Lord Group.

Don was baptized June 13, 1948.  His Bible verse Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.

He was confirmed May 17, 1964  His Bible verse John 14:23  If a man loves Me he will keep My words and My Father will love him and We will come unto Him and make our abode with him.

Family will receive friends Thursday, December 5^th from 9:30am to 10:30am, at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church (15005 Q. St.) followed by a FUNERAL SERVICE at 10:30am.  GRAVESIDE SERIVCE: 3pm, Greenwood Cemetery in York, NE.  Memorials are suggested to Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.