Donald "Don" D. Cruise

Donald "Don" D. Cruise, 81, of St. Edward, NE passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at his home in St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2019 at United Methodist Church, St. Edward, NE with Rev. Vernon Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Dean Cruise, son of Royal and Viola (Thompson) Cruise was born on September 17, 1938 at Beaver Township, Boone County, NE. He attended school in St. Edward, NE and graduated from St. Edward High School in 1956.

Don was united in marriage to Patricia A. Snavely on August 15, 1957 at Lincoln, NE. To this union three sons were born: Kent, Kurt, and Kevin. They lived in St. Edward. Don worked at Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus, NE before he worked and eventually managed the Farmers Union Gas & Oil in St. Edward for 38 years. Don was also the sexton of Evergreen Cemetery where he opened and closed graves for 54 years and sold cemetery markers.

He served as St. Edward Alumni President, was a member of the St. Edward Volunteer Fire Department for 53 years, served on the Evergreen Cemetery Board and St. Edward School Board, was a member of the St. Edward Saddle Club, and was an avid St. Edward Beaver fan.

Don enjoyed his family with great passion and loved being a Dad and especially a Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. He was always the one called on to help us with anything and everything. He loved attending his children and grandkid's ball games, dance recitals, birthday parties, and horse shows. He also enjoyed helping his grandkids with their side jobs. He loved helping others which was evident in his many years of serving others.

Don loved horses, cattle roundups, his driving teams, horse shows, and team penning. He always took time to share this love with others by giving rides, hauling wedding parties, participating in a parade, or competing in local horse shows and penning events.

Don is survived by his three sons: Kent (Darlene) of St. Edward, NE; Kurt (Leeta) of Scottsdale, AZ; Kevin (Kathy) of St. Edward, NE; eight grandchildren: Brandi (Kenny) Riley of Pleasanton, NE; Chad (Samantha) Cruise of Gretna, NE; Jeremy (Shannon) Cruise of Omaha, NE; Kolby (Emma) Cruise of Platteville, CO; Kaleb (Kayanne) Cruise of Midland, TX; Kasten (Makaela) Cruise of Norfolk, NE; Keean and Kianna Cruise of St. Edward, NE; eight great-grandchildren; brother Rich (Janice) Cruise of Norfolk, NE; sisters-in-law: Melanie Snavely of Stockton, CA; Bev Snavely of San Marcos, CA; brothers-in-law: Bob Newcombe of Fairfax, VA; along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Vi Cruise, sister Kathryn Newcombe, brothers-in-law Bill and Max Snavely.