Donald Munger

Centenarian Donald Charles Munger, age 101, died peacefully with family by his side at his daughter’s home in Woodville, Wi on September 27, 2024 . Donald was born May 13, 1923 (Mother’s Day) at the family timber claim in Pierce County, rural Meadow Grove, Nebraska. He was the son of C.C. and Avis (DeCamp) Munger. As a child he weathered the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
He attended primary school walking to and from a one-room schoolhouse, followed by High School in Meadow Grove where he graduated at age 16. Since he had taken “Normal Training” as a part of his high school studies, he passed the state teaching exam at age 17. After graduation he farmed with his father as well as for neighbors until a local school board recruited him to teach unruly K-8 students.
When war broke out, he left teaching to support the war effort machining parts for aircraft in Buffalo, NY. After 3 “essential to the war effort” deferments, he was drafted into the Army Armed Forces & deployed to Japan for the duration of World War II. On August 25, 1947, he married his sweetheart, Clara Kolden, (whose photo he’d carried in his hat throughout his time away despite army regulations to the contrary). Their union was further blessed with three children: Karina, Claretta & Leroy.
The young couple set up farming on the family homestead in Meadow Grove. After a weekend class, Don & his brother wired the home for electricity. Don still owns this family homestead. While farming, he was again recruited to teach rural one room schools in Pierce, Antelope and Madison County, Nebraska. While doing so, he furthered his education at Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska, graduating the same year as his eldest daughter graduated from high school. He also attended So Dakota School of Mines. The family moved to Meadow Grove and then Newman Grove, Ne. Don taught chemistry, physics & general science as well as history at Newman Grove, Humphrey, Monroe and Albion, Nebraska; where he received the Teacher of the Year award in recognition of his dedication to teaching, tutoring, and writing curriculum. He remained active in education associations into retirement. He taught more than 30 years before “retiring” to operate Munger Cleaners & Shoppe with his son, Leroy, in Newman Grove.
Don was an avid reader, loved the outdoors, listening to the birds sing and flutter around their feeders. His mother referred to him as their chief gardener. He could shoot pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, bullfrogs AND snakes with a rifle or handgun.

Don was civic-minded, always willing to help. He was active in several community organizations including the American Legion, VFW club, memorial honor squad, Masonic Lodge & the Lions Club. He was also an active member of the Sons of Norway, stating he was Norwegian by marriage. He served on the Mid Nebraska Lutheran Home board, was past president of the Newman Grove Community Club, and helped organize the annual Norwegian Days for many years. Don and Clara were named Norwegian King and Queen in 1987 and outstanding LaVitsa citizen recognizing their extensive community involvement.
Don was an active member & deacon at Shell Creek Lutheran Church in Newman Grove, Ne until later years when he attended St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

Don is survived by his three children: Karina Canedy (Phoenix, Az), Claretta Munger (Woodville, Wi), Leroy & Diane Munger (Lincoln, Ne); ten Grandchildren: Melissa & Tim Hirshberg, Michaela Munger-Gullicksen, Micah Munger, Andrew & Anne Munger, Lisa Munger, Tara Munger, Brooke Baumbach, Jack Munger; Step Grandchildren: Lars & Andy Canedy; sixteen Great Grandchildren: (parent in parentheses) Bella & Aria Gullicksen (Michaela), Gavin Munger (Micah), Liam Munger (Andrew), Charlie, Cameron, and Collins Hirshberg (Melissa), Kolden Munger (Tara), Kinsley & Brevin Baumbach (Brooke); Jacob Henn, Emilio & Chelsea Munger (Lisa); Step Great Grandchildren: Dakota, Walker & Melinda Gullicksen (Michaela);
Three + Great great grandchildren: Rylan, Eli, Justus & baby (Chelsea); eleven Nieces and nephews: Mary Jane Carr, Lora (Ron) Convey, Bill (Cathy) Munger, John (Marcia) Schutt, Jim (Cheryl) Schutt, Jeff (Lori) Schutt, Margie Ann Schutt, Polly (Dave) Hendee, G. LeRoy Munger, Liz (Rick) Jenkins, and Bob Munger. He is preceded in death by his Wife: Clara (Kolden) Munger; Parents: CC and Avis (DeCamp) Munger; Siblings: Ivan & Dorothy Munger, Marjorie & Edward Schutt, Isabelle & Maynard Schulze, George & Mabel Munger, Eileen & Paul Werner; Niece/nephew: Jennifer & Joey Munger.
Funeral services for Donald Munger, will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Shell Creek Lutheran Church in Newman Grove. Burial in Shell Creek Lutheran Cemetery in Newman Grove.
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 73, Army National Guard Honor Guard, and American Legion Riders. Visitation will be Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden, Nebraska. A private visitation was held at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin.