Donald Carl Esch

Donald Carl Esch, 81, of Homer, NE passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at his residence. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, NE. Burial will be in Omaha Valley Cemetery, rural Homer, NE. Mohr Funeral Home, South Sioux City is handling arrangements.Donald was born March 7, 1938 near Indianola, Nebraska to Zelma Pauline Burton Esch and Carl Esch. He grew up on a farm near Indianola and graduated from Indianola High School. He attended McCook Jr. College and was a graduate of Kearney State College. He taught school at Trumbull, Hooper, and Homer Community School. He spent thirty years teaching at West Middle School in Sioux City before retiring in June, 1997.Don was married to Ila Surber Heck on June 21, 1967 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Homer. Since that time they resided in Homer.He was a former member of the Homer Fire Dept., Homer Rescue Squad, Homer Town Board, President of Omaha Valley Cemetery Board, and taught First Aid for the American Red Cross for many years. He also served as a Board Member of Simpco and was a member of Sioux City Retired Teachers. He belonged to Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City where he served as an Elder.He did substitute teaching at West Middle and West High School after his retirement. He enjoyed seeing his former students and co-workers. He enjoyed traveling, spending time doing family genealogy on his computer, and was an avid gardener.Survivors include 3 step-children, David Heck, Janelle Lamb, and Jody Rohde; 8 step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; 1 sister-in-law, Rosemary Esch of Arlington, NE; 1 sister, Joyce Esch of Des Moines, WA; 6 nephews and nieces; and several great-nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Rodney Esch; and a sister, Karen (Dick) Cummins.