Donald "Don" Ternus, 79, of Creston, Nebraska, died Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Arbor Care Centers Countryside in Madison, Nebraska.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4, at 10:00 AM at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus, Nebraska with Chaplain Jeff Schipper officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time, also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Humphrey City Cemetery. Military honors by the American Legion Hartman Post 84. The memorial service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page.

Don is the son of Raymond "Scoop" Ternus and Georgia Summers Ternus. He was born on July 22, 1942 in Columbus, NE. Don graduated from Columbus High in 1961, and enlisted in the US Navy shortly after graduation. He obtained the rank of Communication Tech Second Class (CT2). During Don's four years of active duty he was stationed at the US Navy Communication Station at Port-Lyautey in Morocco and Edzell, Scotland.

Don married Linda Martensen on June 7, 1969. She passed away on January, 22, 2002. Donald R. was part of the maintenance crew at Platte College and a County Assessor for Platte County. He was past Commander of American Legion Pieper Post 306 of Creston and was instrumental in obtaining the deactivated helicopter that now rests in the Creston Park. Don was also a fantastic chef, working at numerous restaurants such as the Elks Country Club, in Columbus, Klub 81, and Alice's Cedar Inn to name a few.

Don is survived by one brother, George C. (Vicki) Ternus, Creston, Sister-in-Law Doris Ternus of Neligh, numerous nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, Parents "Scoop" and Georgia Ternus, Creston, grandparents Conrad and Anna Ternus, Humphrey, George and Lillian Summers, Creston, brother Dennis D. Ternus, Neligh and nieces DeAnne and Denise Ternus and nephew Dana Ternus of Humphrey.