Robert Wayne “Bob” Durand, Sr.

Robert Wayne “Bob”Durand, Sr.

September 3, 1941 – June 23, 2023

Preceded in death by wife, Donna Durand; son, Donald Durand; daughters, Anita Durand and Patricia Mulholand; granddaughter, Sarah Weber; brothers: Francis, Gary, and Michael Durand; sisters, Patricia and Sharon Horton.  Survived by sons, Robert (Peggy) and Steven Durand; daughters: Julie Hughson (Henry), Lisa Bottorff (Shane), and Debbie Durand (Tracy); 25 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; brother, Evan Durand; many other family and friends.

VISITATION: Tuesday, June 27^th from 10am to 11am at the West Center Chapel, followed by FUNERAL SERVICE at 11am.  Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.  Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view a live broadcast of the Funeral, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

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Robert Wayne “Bob” Durand, Sr., was born on September 3, 1941 in Albion, Boone County, Nebraska, to Gordon and Edna (Nelson) Durand.  Bob left his early home on June 23, 2023 in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Bob moved to Omaha with his family in 1953.  He left school and, as a teenager, started working in the Omaha Potato Market to help support his family.  He later obtained his GED.  Bob worked at Skinner Macaroni for many years until he took early retirement to become a full-time caregiver for his wife.

Bob married his soulmate, Donna Gelvin, on July 12, 1959.  To their union eight children were born: Anita, Patricia, Robert Jr., Donald, Julie, Lisa, Steve, and Debbie.  Bob was very family oriented and was great with children.  Bob and Donna were instrumental in getting one of their granddaughters out of foster care and caring for her for three years as well as assisting another granddaughter for three years.  They also assisted in raising two grandsons who treated Bob as a father. Bob also accepted the step grandchildren as his.

Bob loved keeping his yard and home in immaculate condition and everyone knew you’d better not get into his flowers and plants.  He taught his children and daughter-in-law how to care for yards and gardens.

In later years Bob enjoyed penny slots at the local casino, visits from his children and grandchildren, his dogs, and joking with all.  He kept many friends from his days at Skinner and treated them like they were his brothers and sisters.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and Donna, his loving wife of 42 years at the time of her death in 2001.  He always counted their anniversary every year—it would have been 64 years this July.  Also preceding him in death were his son, Donald; daughters, Patricia and Anita; brothers: Francis, Gary, and Michael; sisters, Patricia and Sharon (Shag); and step granddaughter, Sarah.

Bob is survived by sons, Robert Durand (Peggy) and Steven Durand; daughters: Julie Hughson (Henry), Lisa Bottorff (Shane), and Debbie Durand (Tracy); 25 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; brother, Evan Durand; many other relatives and friends.