Donald A. Rome

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Nov. 11, 1939-May 24, 2004

OMAHA -- Donald August Rome, 64, of Funk, died Monday (May 24, 2004) at the VA Medical Center in Omaha.

He was born Nov. 11, 1939, to August and Barbara (Rohr) Rome in Menlo, Kan. He attended school in Selden, Kan., and graduated from Selden High School in 1957.

In 1958, he enlisted in the Army and served his country from May 1, 1958-March 24, 1961.

On June 6, 1959, he married Geraldine Rumback. The family made their home in Denver, Colo., where he worked with Associated Grocery of Colorado and then managed Ideal Markets in Longmont, Colo. In 1975, he moved to Hill City, Kan., where he owned and operated his own grocery store "Rome's Superette." Since 1981, he has been employed as a sales representative for several different distributors in Colorado. From 1993-2001, he was employed with Nash Finch Company working at Sun Mart South in Holdrege. Due to his failing health he then worked part-time at the Gas-n-Shop in Holdrege.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren in infancy, Cory and Joshua Heger; and one sister, Jean Rife.

Survivors include his wife, Geraldine of Funk; two daughters, Lori Heger and husband, Jeff of Thornton, Colo., and Kimberly Heger and her husband, Jack of Holdrege; one son, Darin Rome and wife, Darla of Berthoud, Colo.; two sisters, Dorothy Trometter and husband, Edgar of Trinidad, Colo., and Betty Grafel and husband, Wayne of Culbertson; five brothers, Eugene Rome and wife, Jeannie of Grand Junction,Colo., Leo Rome of Denver, Jerry Rome and wife, Virginia, Bill of Missouri and Les Rumback and wife, Marsha of Cape Fair, Mo.; sister-in-law, Wanda Wire and husband, Morrise of Greeley, Colo.; and six grandchildren.

Services are Thursday, 10 a.m., at All Saint's Catholic Church in Holdrege with the Rev. Steve Cooney officiating.

The rosary will be recited prior to the memorial mass, 9 a.m., at the church.

The memory book signing is today until 5 p.m., at the Nelson-Harris Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his name.

Nelson-Harris Funeral Home of Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.