Donald Ray Jenkinson (Plainview)

Funeral services for Donald Ray Jenkinson age 89 of Plainview will be held Monday, April 24 at 2 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Plainview. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview. Donald passed away April 18, 2017 at the Plainview Manor. Military honors will be by Plainview American Legion and VFW.

Donald Ray Jenkinson was born April 15, 1928 in Walnut, Nebraska to Joe and Elsie (Wirth) Jenkinson. In 1940, he moved with his parents and sister, Marjorie, from west of Verdigre. They relocated to a farm southeast of Plainview when he was 11 years old. His parents chose the Plainview farm for its plentiful water supply.

Using a box of candy as a lure, Don won the affection of Janis Miles at the Plainview Roller Rink. On March 2, 1949, the two were united in marriage at the Plainview Methodist Church. He was baptized on April 2, 1950. Don and Janis were blessed three children; Miles, Marla and Mark.

Don joined the military in May of 1952. In September 1952 he was given leave from the military after a tragic car accident involving his wife and close family. He was honorably discharged in May of 1960.

During their marriage, Don and Janis rented farms in the Plainview and Osmond area. In 1962, they bought the family farm outside of Plainview where they expanded and modernized the dairy operation taking it from Grade B to Grade A. Over the years, they managed an average of 80 milking cows. Don and Janis semi-retired in 1994, selling the dairy to their son Miles. Don’s wife, Janis, passed away in January of 2000. Health issues caused Don to move into Whispering Pines Assisted Living and the Plainview Manor which he called home for 8 years.

Don passed away three days after celebrating his eighty-ninth birthday on April 18, 2017 at the Plainview Manor in Plainview, Nebraska.

He enjoyed fishing, horses, trail rides, haying, auctions, gambling, reading the paper, visiting and making new friends and was always spoiled by his wife’s home cooking.

Don is survived by his son Miles (Julie) Jenkinson of Plainview, daughter Marla (Greg) Lanka of Ainsworth, grandchildren: Matthew (Mary) Jenkinson of Overland Park, KS, Marcus Jenkinson of Norfolk, Aaron (Jessie) Lanka of Fernley, NV, Zachary (Annie) Lanka of Rapid City, SD, nine great grandchildren: Ethan, Claire and Gabriel Jenkinson, Levi, Elise, Javan, Retta, Ridge and Rio Lanka, brother-in-law Ben (Thelma) Miles of North Platte and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Janis, infant son Mark, sister Marjorie Christiansen, parents Joe and Elsie Jenkinson, in-law’s Hershel and Wilma Miles; brothers-in-law, Bud Miles and Melvin Christiansen; nephew Roy Christiansen.