Donald Walter Vollertsen, 92, passed away peacefully at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas, on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Don was born in Talmage, Nebraska, to Oscar and Ella Vollertsen on August 11, 1928. Don was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Don was raised in Talmage, graduating from Talmage High School in 1946. He was an avid and accomplished athlete. He led his school team to two state titles and was selected to the Nebraska all-state 6-man football team. Upon graduation, he attended University of Nebraska and was a 3-year letterman in track. Don loved the University of Nebraska and never missed a husker football game as a football season ticket holder for 62 years.
During his years at NU, he met the love of his life, Willa Hill, who survives him. They married on June 17, 1951, and celebrated 69 years of marriage last summer. Their marriage was blessed with three sons, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Don served in the United States Navy Reserves for four years as a Hospital Apprentice, USNR-R from 1950-1954. He earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska in 1951. He began his pharmacy career at Horton, Kansas, and moved to Norton to work for Melvin Moffet in 1955. He later purchased Moffet Drug in 1976, and Ward Drug in Oberlin, in 1980. Don managed and operated both stores until he sold them to his sons, Steve and Kurt, in 1993. Don put on the early morning coffee for many years for the "fountain crew" at Moffets while also filling millions of prescriptions for the community of Norton.
Don's all-time favorite activity was golf but also enjoyed hunting with his dog, Jessie. As a business owner, he was a member of the Norton Chamber of Commerce and he raised his family as a member of the First United Methodist Church in Norton.
Don is survived by his wife, Willa, of their home in Norton; three sons and their wives, Steve and Randa Vollertsen, Norton; Kurt and Becky Vollertsen, Garden City, Kansas; Chris and Pat Vollertsen, Parker, Colorado; his grandchildren, Carly (Rohan) Woodley and daughters, Amara and Corynn, Chicago, Illinois; Leslie (Mike) Pfannenstiel, and sons, Dalton, Tucker and Bodie, Norton; Shelly (Trevor) Gaskill, and children, Anistyn, Garrett and Kinsley, Manhattan, Kansas; Grant (Wendy) Vollertsen, and children, Seve and Charly, Garden City; Haley (Bobby) Lewton, and son, Jackson, and sibling on the way, Garden City; and Ryan (Jaime) Vollertsen, and children, Nolan and Josie, Parker, Colorado; other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Marvin.
A private family service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Norton on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. and there will be live streaming of the service through the church. Memorial visitation will be at the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton on Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials have been established to the Norton County Health Department and the Andbe Home in Norton.