Ralph Dean Donelson

September 22, 1930 - March 5, 2015

Ralph Dean Donelson, 84, of Central City, NE, died Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. Memorial services will be Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. at United Methodist Church in Central City with Pastor Tess Hufford officiating. Burial will be in the Central City Cemetery with American Legion Lone Tree Post #6 conducting military rites. Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, from 5-7 P.M. at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Dean was born on September 22, 1930 in Central City, Nebraska, to Ralph J. and Phyllis (Wilson) Donelson. He grew up and received his education in Central City. Dean entered the United States Army in January of 1952, serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in February of 1954. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Lind on September 1, 1956 at Swede Plain Methodist Church. The couple lived in Central City and Dean was employed by Overland Sand and Gravel. He was also employed by Peter Kiewit and helped build the canal by Valentine, NE., and worked on building the interstate. He sold cars for over 50 years at his own business, D & E Motors. Dean was a member of the Central City United Methodist Church and American Legion Lone Tree Post #6 in Central City. He lived in Central City his entire life. He enjoyed having coffee with the guys, going to farm and antique sales, and driving his 1918 Model T Ford in parades. Dean and Marilyn attended a lot of engine shows in NE and KS. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Donelson of Central City, NE, his son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Daidrea Donelson of Newman Grove, NE, and a daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Bob Nagorski of Lincoln, NE, three grandchildren, Brock, Mya, and Addy Donelson, all of Newman Grove, NE, and his sister, Sally Straney of New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, two still born children, James Lavern and Rodney Dean, and his sister and brother-in-law, Bette and Clay Codrington. Memorials are suggested to the family.