Douglas R. State

Douglas R. State, 74, of Kearney, died Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Kearney with Pastor Stephen Price Gibson officiating. Burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. with the family greeting friends at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, Pheasants Forever, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200 Manhattan Beach, CA 92056. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Doug was born October 5, 1937 in Grinnell, Iowa to Floyd and Vena (Ritter) State. He married his high school sweetheart, Emily Seeland in 1960, and over the last 51 years they made their life full of laughter and good times – embracing every opportunity to spend time with their children, grandchildren, and good friends. Later in life they traveled the world, especially enjoying annual trips to Cabo San Lucas and winters in Arizona. Doug worked hard, and always instilled in his children the value of honesty and the importance of family. He not only spoke of these values but also exemplified them, being the first of his family to graduate from college. Doug graduated from Grinnell College and continued onto Law School at the University of Iowa with an academic scholarship. He graduated in 1962 near the top of his class where he also was chosen to write for the Law Review. He and Emily lived briefly in Denver where Doug started his law career. They settled in Kearney in 1967 where they raised their three daughters. During his life in Kearney, he was a leader in the community serving on several boards, including leading officer positions for both Kiwanis and Elks; the President of the Board of Directors of Good Samaritan Hospital; the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as the President as well as leading several committees; President of the Board of Directors of the Good Samaritan Foundation; member of the Nebraska Diplomats; Officer and President of Buffalo County Bar Association; active in the Nebraska Bar Association, including serving on several committees as well as being asked to speak at various seminars. His character, wit, and wisdom served him well and made him not only respected in the community, but also a successful lawyer and confidant to many. No matter what he did, he did it to the best of his ability, making sure that it was done with precision and integrity. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, instilling the respect and love of the outdoors in his grandsons, while always being accompanied by his trusted Brittany Spaniels. He also enjoyed playing golf with Emily and his friends. These hobbies culminated into the tradition of annual trips with lifelong friends. The Fishermen group was significant to his life and included many of his most treasured friends. It is said that you don’t really know someone until times of adversity. Watching Doug battle this awful disease of cancer for the last 15 months, it is clear that he is a proud man of profound strength and courage, never once pitying himself or bemoaning his plight, but courageously stepping up to the plate battling this disease with optimism and hope. He relied on his faith in Jesus Christ to help him fight this battle to the bitter end, staying positive for the benefit of Emily, even in the final days. We rest on the fact that he is now cradled by the love and comfort of Jesus, joining his parents and other five brothers and sisters, in what we can only imagine, is a high spirited game of cribbage. As we say goodbye to a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, and friend, we know that just like a ship leaving the harbor, we sadly watch him go, while his family is on the other side, eagerly watching him crest the horizon, saying here he comes. Surviving Relatives: Wife: Emily State of Kearney, NE Daughters Beth and Bob Betthauser of Gardner, KS Laura and Dan Reinders of Huron, SD Emmy and Jay Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ Grandchildren Sgt. Brian and Mindy Betthauser of Ft. Lewis, WA Andrew Betthauser of Wichita, KS Philip Betthauser of Gardner, KS Emily Betthauser of Gardner, KS Hannah and Jon Schouten of Orange City, IA Carly Reinders of Sioux Falls, SD Nathan Reinders of Hollywood, CA Vladik Reinders of Lampee, MO Tory Reinders of Huron, SD Alexa and Amanda Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ Many nieces and nephews Douglas was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters. PDF Printable Version

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Douglas R. State

October 5, 1937 - January 3, 2012