Donald Lee “Donnie” Modlin, 57 of Craig NE

DONALD LEE “DONNIE” MODLIN, 57 years, of Craig, Nebraska, passed away Monday, September 8, 2014, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio, after and unexpected illness.

Donnie was born March 1, 1957, in O’Neill, Nebraska, the son of William “Bill” and Doris (Lindberg) Modlin. He graduated from Oakland Craig High School in 1975.  Donnie served in the U. S. Navy from 1976 to 1979 and was stationed in San Diego California and Cleveland, Ohio.

On May 17, 1985, Donnie married Judy G. Tomasek of Garrettsville, Ohio.

Donnie owned and operated Best Mesquite Smoked Meats in Tucson, Arizona, before returning to Craig in June 1987 and was employed by Gustafson Plumbing. During this time he served his community as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT). He began his career with DTZ in 2001 and was promoted to Quantitative PM Planner, a new cutting edge position, during which time he developed PM Programs that continue to be used at multiple Cargill facilities and business units today. He then assumed the role of project crew manager and most recently continued in this role as well as served in a support role for facilities in Dalhart and Bovina, Texas and Spiritwood, ND.

One of Donnie’s loves was cooking. He and his family also owned and operated “The Library” in Craig for 13 years. In addition to his love of cooking, he enjoyed golf, car racing, motorcycles, fishing, the outdoors, Husker football and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; father, Bill; brother, Charles Modlin; sister-in-law, Geri-Ann Dietz; great niece, Sierra Wilcox; and many aunts and uncles.

Survivors include his wife, Judy of Craig; three children and their families including two grandchildren, Brandon (Alyssia) Modlin and their children, Hayden and Brooklyn of Bancroft, NE, Jordon (Sachia) Modlin of Craig and LaDona Modlin of Craig; mother, Doris Modlin of Craig; sisters and brothers, Lorri (Don) Steffen of Sunrise Beach, MO, Kim Ford of Thorsby, AL, Janice (Keith) Magill of Tekamah, NE, Cyns (Mike) Johnson of Oakland, NE, Mark (Sylvia) Johnson of Tekamah, NE, Jeff (Marcie) Johnson of Lincoln, NE; brothers-in-law, Dale (Jennifer) Tomasek of Hiram, OH; Henry Dietz of Cary, NC; 13 nephews; 10 nieces; 17 great nephews; 10 great nieces; an aunt, Betty Modlin of Fremont, NE; and several cousins.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, September 15, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at the Craig Community Center, Craig, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Monday one hour prior to the service

BURIAL: Craig Cemetery

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

Donald Modlin