Donald Ray Gill

Donald Ray Gill, 94, of rural Shelton, NE, died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Memorial Community Care in Aurora, NE.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island with pastor Carl Eliason officiating. Interment will be at 2 PM in the Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Don was born on January 15, 1931 to James Franklin and Amelia (Hassler) Gill in rural Deuel County at the headgates of the Nebraska Irrigation Canal. He grew up and attended school in Big Springs. Don worked many jobs, spending several years as head engineer of his crew at the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company pumping station outside of Big Springs. He and Kay Pierson were married June 12, 1960, and continued to live near Big Springs until 1963 when the family moved to rural Shelton.

Don farmed and raised cattle until retiring. He continued to work with his son, Kevin, for several more years. Don enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and his church was an important part of his life. Having grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a great blessing.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Kevin Gill (Stacie Ansbach) of rural Wood River; daughters, Kary Gill (Mark Hahn) of rural Shelton and Kendra (Sean) Fennessy of Omaha; grandsons, Daniel (Pat) Gill, Dylan (Adrienne) Gill and their children Adeline, Crofton, and Kollins; granddaughter, Kaylee (Jake) Maggioncalda and their daughter Eleanor; brother, Robert (Lola) Gill: sisters-in-law, Leona Gill, Sue Gill; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law, Audrey and Deane Murray, and Naomi and Leo Meyer; brothers, Samuel, and Lowell and Sheila Gill; brothers-in-law, Martin Pierson, and Dr. Kenneth and Margaret Pierson; sisters-in-law, Iris and Gene Baer; and daughter-in-law, Angie Gill.