November 16, 1934 ~ May 15, 2013
Donald Weindorf passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
He was born in Lincoln, Illinois on November 16, 1934 of Desmond and Mary Weindorf. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Desmond and his sister Barbara Campbell.
Donald was raised at Father Flanagan’s Boys Town and then served in the US Marines.
For most of his life, he bought failing businesses and brought them back to profitablility and then sold them and moved on to his next challenge. In 1995, he finally reached his lifetime dream and opened The Nebraska Boys Home, a group home for at-risk boys. He operated the home until his 70th birthday when he sold it to his lead supervisor and retired to Caldwell, Kansas.
Donald had a Masters in Social Work, a Master in Theology and finally a PhD from Northwestern.
He was a member of Mensa, American Legion, American counseling Assoc., Marine Corp League, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Nebraska Juvenile Justice Assoc., Nebraska Correctional Assoc., AARP, the Nebraska Society of Social Workers, The National Council of Crime and Delinquency and The Boys Town National Alumni Assoc.
He leaves behind his sister Sue Weindorf Gray of Lincoln, his sons, Donald and David of Omaha and his son Desmond of Kalamazoo, MI, his daughters Rachel Champlin and Dana of Wichita, Kansas and his daughter Eva of Omaha; one grandson David of Omaha.
Don loved Caldwell. Few people know of the many adults and children that he helped since he always gave anonymously.
A memorial gathering celebrating Don's life will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 26, 2013 at the Red Barn Cafe, 624 S. Main, Caldwell, Kansas.
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Condolences
David Vega
Family and Friends - 05/24/2013
Don was a great friend of mine. We first met at the Red Barn when I first became an employee my Sophomore year. He was a genuine person who had a lot of heart and we became great friends instantly. He always spoke about his children, and his hardships in life and throughout it all, he became a very successful man. He inspired me in many ways and always told me to never give up on my dreams. He ate at the cafe every day so our friendship became very strong and not soon after, we considered each other family. He was always there for me when I needed advice, and helped support me through a college course I qualified for in High School, which in return all he asked was that I kept up on my studies. I was always anxious to show him my grades in school because I knew how happy it made him, and how good it felt to show him that I was living up to the only thing he asked of me. Don was a genuine person who stays close by my heart for his great personality, and his selflessness to help me and anyone else anyway he could. There is no way possible that if you knew Don well, he made some sort of impact on your life. I loved him as if he was my own blood, and he always joked around about wanting to adopt me. He even asked my mom permission to take me off her hands. He had a great sense of humor and lived each day as if they were his last. He sure loved his fried food, which Jessica Weir and Carol Dennis (The owners of the Red Barn Family restaurant) thoughtfully made for him all of the time. Jessica and Carol are great owners and I enjoyed working for them, and I know all three of us can agree that Don was an amazing person that can never be forgotten. My mother, Cindy Reta would join Don for dinner at the cafe on occasion enjoying his company and laughter. My mother always included Don in her prayers every night before bed. Don lived an amazing life and even though his time on earth is gone, he lives on through his children and the many lives he touched throughout his journey. I will never forget him. He left a mark on this town, and as time goes by I will make sure that my family and future children know who Donald Weindorf was. His name will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Don, and thank you for everything you've done to help me become a better person. The best gift was simply enjoying our discussions, laughing and your relentless talk about staying on the right path and getting a good education. I'll make you proud, Don.
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Dorothy Dvorak South Have
Family and Friends - 05/26/2013
Rachel,
I am so sorry I did not make it this afternoon. had
intended to. Hope you had a nice group present.
When you get this note please send your address or call me.
Hoping to hear from you.
Blessings, Dorothy
