David Donker was born Sept 21, 1958 in Gregory, SD, the 3rd of 4 children, to Albert “Rusty” and Grace (Luurs). He was in a hurry to enter this world, arriving before they got to the hospital. He left this world on April 16, 2024, in the comfort of his own home and with his family at his side, after a brief but very intense battle with esophageal/gastric cancer.
His family moved from Gregory, SD, area to Hot Springs, SD, and then to Chadron, Nebraska. All of his schooling took place in Chadron, graduating from Chadron High School in 1978. He continued his education, attending WNCC in Sidney, with certificate in Heavy Equipment and Diesel repair, in 1979.
Between 1979 and 1983 he worked various jobs, including with his dad at the Culligan store in Chadron. December 1983 he hired on at what is now known as Parker Hannifin. With the exception of time during a brief layoff, he worked there for 40 years, most of that in Maintenance. During the time of the layoff he sought employment at Nebraska Beef Packers in Gordon, Nebr., where he met Karen Reinmuth. They were reintroduced by a mutual friend a few months later, starting a relationship in Sept 1984 that would continue until his passing.
They were married June 3, 1988, in Alliance, Ne. To this union four children were born. Miranda Rose, Zachariah James, Arielle Marie and Emily Kate. He was also grandpa to 5. He took great pride in his family, bragging on them every chance he had.
Dave was more commonly known as “Dutch” to his family and friends.
He was a patch holding member of ROAD M/C since 1980, and a member of the Sandhills Chapter. Those in the club were also his family. He was very active in all aspects of the club and enjoyed time riding with his brothers above all.
He was a previous member of ABATE of Ne, Dist. 13.
He had a passion for hunting and firearms, and developed an additional passion for black powder shooting and Rendezvous, which led to being member of Bordeaux Creek Muzzleloaders, for years, as well as Camp Clark Raiders. He enjoyed many deer camps with his brother, Jerry “Red”, his wife and multiple other friends, and was an active participant in many local and Regional Rendezvous camps with his family.
As a youth, he was a member of Boy Scout troop in Chadron, earning rank of Life Scout. Later, with his own son, he was an active parent in scouting and then an Assistant Scout Master of troop 344, participating in many local campouts, winter camps, tree plants, and summer camps, and mentoring youth as they earned their Eagle.
Many trips were taken on the motorcycle with his wife and with his brothers, as well as solo. He attended Sturgis Motorcycle Rally annually, not missing a year, for over 40 years. He even spent some time working at Eagles Landing during the rally. The stories he could tell and the people he met doing this! But his most memorable trip was the 2nd trip to “Run to the Wall” rally in Washington DC when his son accompanied him.
He received treatment for his cancer thru KU University while staying with his oldest daughter, Miranda, in Warrensburg, MO., returning home to Alliance just days before leaving this earthly world.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, daughters: Miranda Williams of Warrensburg, Mo, Arielle Donker of Rapid City, SD., Emily (Robert “TJ”) Lynn of Pagosa Springs, Co.; son: Zachariah (Dessaray) Donker of Alliance, Ne.; grandchildren: Isabell, Ryker and Faye Donker of Alliance Ne., Briley Williams of Warrensburg, MO., Colvynn Brown of Rapid City, SD. Brother: Steve (Dani) Donker of Cheyenne, Wyo., sister-in-law Teala Donker of Chadron, Ne., sister, Nancy (Gary) Eitler of Gordon, Ne., numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins, as well as countless friends and his brothers of ROAD M/C.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rusty and Grace; his oldest brother, Jerry; his father-in-law, Dale Reinmuth; and all grandparents.
Life is a journey, not a destination. His journey gave his life meaning and created numerous experiences and memories that included his family, his brothers and his friends.
There will be a Celebration of Life the 26th of May and his last ride on the 27th of May. Cremation has occurred. Locations and details are being made and will be available when completed.
Memorials may be made to the family at 1003 Big Horn Ave, Alliance, Ne. A tree will be planted in his memory; any additional funds will be donated to cancer research at Kansas State University.