Donald Eugene Hupf, 79, of Cozad, passed away Dec. 31, 2015, at home with family by his side after a brave fight with cancer.
Don was born on Jan. 16, 1936, in Hamlet to Joseph and Elizabeth (Pickering) Hupf. He grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1954.
After graduating, Don joined the U.S. Air Force from 1954-59. He was a Tactical Staff Sergeant stationed in Sculthorpe, Norfolk, England. It was there that he met the love of his life, Doris Thorpe.
Don and Doris were married on July 6, 1957, in Norwich, England, at the Catholic Church. After his term in the Air Force, they moved back to the United States, and lovingly raised three daughters and a son.
Don attended McCook Community College for two years, working in the insurance business. After living in various towns in Nebraska, they settled in Cozad in 1972.
Don worked for Bellamy Grain Corp., selling feed to area farmers with livestock operations. Don also worked for the city of Cozad before retiring. After retiring, he obtained his C.D.L. and drove a grain truck for his daughter and son-in-law’s farming operation. He was extremely proud to acquire his license.
Don enjoyed fishing, wood working and golfing with his wife. He also enjoyed playing on the men’s summer golf league. He was actively involved over the years in the Cozad Optimist Club and White Bass Fishing Tournaments. Don was a member of the Cozad Elks Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Hupf; and brother-in-law, Carl Nielsen.
He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Cozad; son, Robert Hupf, of Evergreen, Colorado; daughters, Sharon (Ed) Goforth, of Grand Island, Julie (Jerry) Lambert, of Cozad, and Debra (Cody) Peden, of Cozad; grandchildren, Chris (Stephanie) Goforth, of Lincoln, Jennifer (Kyle) Simmons, of Colorado, Tyler (Amber) Peden, of Cozad, Chelsea (Justin) Fries, of Oxford, Ethan and Drew Lambert, both of Cozad, and Kyle and Trevar Hupf, of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Hailey Fries, Ayden Ourada, Barrett Peden and Jude Goforth; brother, John (Sharon) Hupf, of Riverton, Wyoming; sisters, Audrey (Harvey) Cole, of Curtis, and Delores Nielsen, of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Central Plains Home Health & Hospice or Care Mates of Cozad.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, at the Cozad United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Smith officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be at the Cozad Cemetery with military honors. The memorial book may may be signed from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, at Berryman Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.