Donald A. Durre, Jr.

Donald Arthur Durre Jr. Donald A. Durre Jr., 72, departed this world on October 3, 2025 in Franklin, NE. He was born April 9, 1953, in O’Neill, NE. The son of Donald and Shirley (Dallegge) Durre. Don graduated from Grand Island Senior High, Class of 1971. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy. A Navy Seal, Don was stationed in Yokohama Japan, and served in the Vietnam War, it was there that he met and was united in marriage to Josephine Mariko Hill, in 1975. To this union, two children were born: Sherry Waters of Giltner, NE and Tabatha Durre, of Gibbon, NE. Later, in 1999, Don would marry Diana Marie Ottman and inherit several children, one of which he adopted as his own, Skylark Byrd Durre of Kearney, NE. Don was a lover or Husker Football, Family, Friends, Fishing, Animals, Cooking, Coin Collecting and everything in between. He spent most of his days as a life insurance salesman. He was great at and enjoyed what he did! He was a Chef and Restaurant Manager for many years. He thrived on serving the public and was fulfilled with knowing that people loved his food and that they were taken care of in every sense. Retiring from Chief Fabrication to move to Naponee, NE. He and Diana opened a secondhand store in Franklin and operated that until shortly after her passing. He loved hard and sometimes was a hard man to love, but his presence was contagious. He enjoyed making people laugh, poking fun, telling jokes and being the life of the party. He and his family attended the Vietnam Veterans Reunions every year where he enjoyed reconnecting with fellow veterans and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by wife Josephine and wife Diana. In addition to his former partner Leslie, left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Sherry Waters of Giltner, NE, Tabatha Durre, of Gibbon, NE, son, Sky Durre of Kearney, NE, sister Candi Launer of Kearney, NE, brother, Mike Schulte of Omaha, extended family, Nick and Teddi Caldwell of Franklin, NE, many nieces and nephews, several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. A service of remembrance will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 1:00pm at Hutchins Funeral Home. 1402 M Street, Franklin, NE 68939 with Pastor Kasey Loschen officiating. Inurnment at a later date. Please visit www.hutchinsfh.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Services are entrusted to Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.