Darrell Merial Conner

Darrell was born on March 5, 1937 on the family farmstead near Burwell to Orval and Elsie (Mattern) Conner. Darrell grew up in rural Burwell, attended a one room school and graduated from Ord High School in 1956. Darrell’s athletic talents took him to the University of Nebraska, where he was a rugged Nebraska tackle for the 1956 and 1957 Husker football teams. In 1957 he joined the United States Army, where he served his country for 6 years. While in the service he was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia and served as a military policeman, and was on the boxing team. Darrell had 150+ bouts, and 88 TKO’s. He was honorably discharged in 1963. On July 3, 1960 Darrell was united in marriage to Dolores Sobotka in Ord, and the couple had 4 children to this union. Following his military service he returned to Ord, where he farmed, also ran a hay moving business. He then moved to Ericson, and with his boys ran Triple D builders, as well as an auto sales business. Following his retirement, Darrell continued to help his son-in-law in the fall during harvest. Darrell was a member of the Ord United Methodist Church, as well as the Ord Jaycee’s. During his younger years, Darrell excelled on the football field. He was a significant part of the 1955 Class B State Championship football team, and was an all-state selection. People would come from miles around to watch him and his team play. There were over 3,000 people that would attend some of their games. In 1955 he helped start the Ord Boxing Club. In 1965, he was the heavyweight Midwest Golden Gloves Champion. In 2014, with his state championship team, was elected to the Ord High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Darrell was known as the “candyman”, always treating staff, friends, and strangers to a piece of candy to make their day sweeter. Darrell also enjoyed cars, collecting guns and coins. He was also an avid hunter as well as playing cards, and shooting pool. His greatest love was spending time with his children, and grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory are his children; David (Kiffany) Conner of Kearney, Christine Dumont of Omaha, Ann (Michael) Herbig of Central City, and Doug (Kris) Conner of Kearney; his grandchildren; Kristopher (Amy) Herbig and their children, Joe and Olivia, Brooke (Todd) Longenecker and their daughter, Raelynn, Shayla, Sydney, and Zac Conner, and Hunter, Sophie, and Jarett Conner, and Kael Dumont of Omaha, NE; his sisters-in-law; Marlene Conner of North Carolina and Dee Conner of Burwell, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers; Orval, Audrey, Delmer, and Celby Conner.

Darrell Merial Conner

March 5, 1937 - June 16, 2022