Donald "Don" Leo Mannlein

Donald L. "Don" Mannlein, 90 of Albion, NE passed away Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Boone County Health Center, Albion, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial for family and relatives will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at St Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, NE with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #162 and VFW Post #736 of Albion, NE and the Army Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7 p.m. wake service.  CDC guidelines will be followed. Social distancing and Covid-19 DHM's will be followed at both the visitation/service and masks are required.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald "Don" Leo Mannlein, son of Leo and Catherine (Redler) Mannlein was born on February 5, 1930 in Albion, NE.  He was baptized at St. John's Catholic Church in Petersburg, NE and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, NE.  Don graduated from Albion High School in 1947.  Following High School Don farmed with his dad west of Albion.

On April 28, 1952 Don was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Klein at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Raeville, NE.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Clara (Preusser) Klein.  The couple farmed west of Albion until November of 1952 when Don was called to serve his country.  He entered basic training at Camp Chaffee, AR.  After training he was shipped to South Korea for 18 months for active duty.  He was assigned to I Cop Artillery and stationed on the 38 ^th Parallel as a forward observer or S-3 Personal.  When he arrived home in 1954, he and Betty moved to Boys Town, NE where Don was a Beef Herdsman for 5 years.  In 1959 they moved on a ranch west of Elgin in Wheeler County where Don managed a ranch for 36 years. While in Wheeler County he was a member of St. John's Catholic Church rural Clearwater.  He held many offices including President of Parish Council for 10 years.  Don was also a lector and EME.  He was on the school board in Wheeler County for 8 years, a 4-H leader for 30 years, on the NRD for 12 years, trustee on the Antelope Memorial Hospital Board for 15 years, and was a 3 ^rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Elgin.

In 1995 Don retired from the ranch and they moved to Albion, NE where he stayed quite active as a handy man volunteering at the Boone County Health Center.  He loved his music, garden, and flowers and most of all the family and grandchildren.  He also enjoyed volunteering at the Boone County Fair.  Don joined the Knights of Columbus here in Albion where he became a 4 ^th degree assembly 1717 and held a Faithful Navigator position for 2 years and a Scribe position for 8 years.  He was also a member of the American Legion Post #162.  Don was a member of St. Michael's parish in Albion, where he served a as lector and EME, and a sacricist.  He also served as an EME at the Assisted Living and for the home bound.

Don is survived by wife Betty of Albion, NE; three daughters Debra Mannlein of Albion, NE; Ruth (Arne) Anderson of Waco, NE; Angela (Rick) Coan of Jackson, NE; five granddaughters: Amy (Jason) Meyer; Katey Frohberg; Jordan Anderson; Brittanie (Dan) Ferden; Breisha (Anthony) Weber; three grandsons: Michael (Marsha) Frohberg; Sean (Jessica) Frohberg; Gage Anderson; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings: Dorothy Pfeifer; Dolores Schack; Kathleen (Earl) Stephens; Gene Mannlein; Mary Dunlap; Barbara (John) Miller; Larry (Sally) Mannlein; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Nancy Mannlein; sister Rosie Stewart; sister-in-law Carol Mannlein; brothers-in-law Kenneth Pfeifer and Dean Schack; and niece Kathy Pfeifer.