Memorials › Donald J. Virgl
Donald J. Virgl
25 Jan 1929 – 15 May 2012
| Birth | 25 Jan 1929 |
| Death | 15 May 2012 |
| Cemetery | Saint Francis Cemetery Wahoo , Saunders County , Nebraska , USA |
| Added by | Courtney S on 24 Mar 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90269253 |
Bio
Donald J. Virgl died on May 15, 2012, at the South Haven Care facility in Wahoo, Nebraska from complications arising from heart and kidney failure. He was 83. Don was born on January 25, 1929 in Weston, Nebraska, the oldest son of Adolph and Marie Virgl. He grew up on the family farm near Plasi, Nebraska, which is now enjoyed by his second son, Paul, and his family. Don attended grade school near the family farm at the District 83 schoolhouse, and graduated from Wahoo High School in 1946. Upon graduation, he attended Luther College in Wahoo, studying Business Administration. Shortly after, Don enlisted in the Army and served our country as a soldier overseas in Okinawa as part of the Korean War. He was always concerned about the veteran and truly believed in his service of country. Don was proud of his life as a Catholic, a farmer and implement dealer, his educational opportunities, and his chance to make a difference through military service. After serving overseas, Don, like many American soldiers, came home to find a bride and settle down to enjoy family life. He met his sweetheart and married Alice Dostal on February 6, 1954, at Tabor, near Howells, Nebraska. Don and Alice were blessed to enjoy 58 years of marriage. Through their union, five sons were proudly brought into the faith: John, Paul, Tom, Jim and Dean, all graduates of Bishop Neumann Catholic High School, something that was also very important to Don. Family life was probably the biggest part of Don's life and together Don and Alice enjoyed watching the lives of their 11 grandchildren: Lizzie and Becky, daughters of John and Amy Virgl (Wahoo); Laura, daughter of Paul and Dotty Virgl (Weston); Mike, Justin and Jason, sons of Tom and Jill Virgl (Seattle, Washington); Alicia Mizner, and her husband, Brandon, Brett and Jacob, children of Jim and Deb Virgl (Yutan); Courtney and Bethany, daughters of Dean and Geri Virgl (Lincoln). For many people of Don's generation, service was a way of life. Don served his church, his country, and his community. To sum all of his accomplishments would be too difficult, but to honor and highlight some of his activities seems only fitting. In church life, Don was a regular usher at the 5:30 Mass. His faith was very important to him and it was reflective in his desire to attend Mass upon leaving the hospital and stay in grace with the Lord through confession and Holy Communion toward the end of his life. Don enjoyed the Knights of Columbus and was often seen at Fish and Steak Frys. He served as Grand Knight of Council 1833. In 1961, Don founded Virgl Implement Company in Wahoo, selling Ford machinery, eventually adding the Oliver line. Shortly after, he was joined in business by his brother, Robert Virgl, Sr. In 1971, Don founded Wahoo Implement, selling John Deere machinery. That love of tractors carried through in a tremendous amount of activities and organizational life. He and his brother, Bob, traveled Nebraska in the late sixties, bringing tractor pulls to many local fairs and events. Don would announce and Bob would flag the pulls. He also served on the Saunders County Fair Board. Don was so enamored with tractor pulling that he was responsible for bringing tractor pulls to the Nebraska State Fair, also serving the fair for many years rising through the board serving in every position to become President in 1999 and 2000. He was a lifetime member of Camp Creek Thresher's Association and member and president of the Iowa/Nebraska Farm Dealer's Association retiring from business life in 2002 after 40 years. With many of these business activities, Don and Alice enjoyed ample opportunities to travel throughout the United States and in many countries overseas. He was a man who truly embraced his life. Don also served his community as the Mayor of Wahoo for two terms from 1990 to 1998. He served the District 83 School Board as Treasurer, and served on the Wahoo Volunteer Fire Department. Don was a member of the Wahoo VFW Post 4502, American Legion Post 308, and American Legion 40 & 8 groups. He could often be seen as part of the color guard at Neumann and Wahoo football games, and at the county fair parades. He loved to participate as a color guard at Memorial Day services at the local cemeteries. Although Don retired from business life ten years ago, he never really retired. Don took his love of farming and converted it into his great retirement passion. He was often called upon by many who knew him in Wahoo to till their gardens, and tilled the garden plots at Region V for many years before he became ill. He also enjoyed plowing snow, spending many years cleaning the runways at the Wahoo Airport. He was happiest behind the wheel of a tractor and made sure his garden was always big, and his produce was shared with many. As his son, Paul, was quick to point out, "To his friends and neighbors, he was a man outstanding in his field…scratch that…he was a man out standing in his ‘garden'." Don will be missed by many, but is joining those who preceded him in death: his parents Adolph and Marie, his sister, Mildred Cuda, and brother, Robert Virgl, Sr. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, May 21, 2012, Parish Rosary at 1:30PM, Mass at 2:00PM, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo. Interment with Military Honors, American Legion Posts #82 & #308, VFW Post #4502, St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska. Visitaion Sunday, May 20th 2:00-4:00PM at Svoboda Funeral Home and 6:00PM at St. Wenceslaus Church. Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00PM. Memorials to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Church Masses Memorials also to the family for future designation. Published at Marcy/Svoboda Funeral Homes Website.
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