Delbert Don Lear

July 12, 1945 - March 16, 2021

Delbert Don Lear, 75, died March 16, 2021, at home in Kearney, Nebraska. Don was born July 12, 1945, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, the son of Quentin K. and Ruth M. (Randall) Lear. He graduated from Keya Paha County High School, Class of 1963. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University and Chadron State College. Don and Janet L. Buell of Rose, Nebraska, were married August 28, 1965 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Long Pine, Nebraska. Don and Jan attended Chadron State College together before moving to Rose to begin working at the Shovel Dot Ranch. Don and Jan owned and operated their own ranch until moving to Kearney in December of 1995 to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Don received his Master’s Degree in Community Counseling in 2001 and worked as a mental health therapist until retiring in 2008. Jan and Don celebrated 55 years of marriage on August 28, 2020. Don is survived by his wife, Jan; and his three children, Bruce (Menda) Lear of Kearney, Rick (Jennifer) Lear of Madison, Alabama, and Lori Lear (Nathan Castaldi) of Brookhaven, Georgia; his grandchildren, Megan and M’Lynn Lear, Josh, Aidan, and Asher Lear and step-granddaughter, Seraphina Castaldi. In addition, Don is also survived by his sister, Bonnie (Pat) Murphy of Nathrop, Colorado; his brothers-in-law, Homer (Darla) Buell of Rose, and Larry (Nick) Buell of Bassett, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Sue Hutchinson of Rose, along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families. A Private Family Memorial Service was held March 20, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bassett with Father Mike Wetovick as Celebrant. Music was provided by Trudy Nolles with the congregation singing, “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Amazing Grace” and “Be Not Afraid”. Inurnment followed in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Those friends who wish to remember Don may donate to Valley Hope of O’Neill, Nebraska, or Valley Hope of Norton, Kansas or memorials may also be sent to the family for future designation in Don’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.