Don Roger Crays was born to Donald and Anna (Herynk) Crays on Oct. 1, 1935, on a farm southwest of Tobias. He passed away Sept. 23, 2023, in Grand Island at the age of 87. He was the oldest of five children.
He attended Atlanta Center Country School through eighth grade and graduated from Tobias High School in 1953. Before becoming a full-time farmer, he worked for the railroad in Lincoln, appraised land in Custer County, constructed concrete elevators around the Milligan area and worked at the ammunition depot in Hastings.
Don began farming at the age of 15 with his grandfather, Joe Herynk, on the farm that eventually became his lifelong home. He was proud to be the owner of three farms that have been in the family for more than 100 years that all received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family award.
Don was married to Sheila Elznic in Exeter on Nov, 6, 1965. To this union, three daughters were born – Stephanie, Linda and Clara.
His love for cattle started at a young age when he began showing in 4-H. This led to more than 40 years as a 4-H leader mentoring many youth, including his sisters and daughters. His passion for polled Hereford cattle began in 1976 with the purchase of four heifers from his brother, Roland. Little did he know, this endeavor would be the beginning of many friendships and “family vacations” to cattle shows and events across the nation. Don and Sheila served as Nebraska Junior Polled Hereford Advisors for three years and were awarded the Nebraska Hereford Association's Outstanding Breeder and Pioneer Breeder Awards.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, serving on the parish council, the Tobias Volunteer Fire Department and EMTs, serving as the fire chief, the Nebraska Hereford Association and the American Hereford Association.
Don will long be remembered for his orneriness, his signature cowboy hat and cigar, his passion for cattle and horses, but most of all, his dedication to his family and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Don and Anne Crays, in-laws, Clarence and Evelyn Elznic; grandson, Seth McKay, brother-in-lawm Leo Etter; and sister-in-law, Norma Crays.
Don is survived by his wife, Shelia, of Tobias; daughters, Stephanie (Kirk) Jensen, Courtland, Kansas,Linda (Grant) McKay Marysville, Kansas, and Clara (Tim) Grace, Humboldt, South Dakota; grandchildren, Cody, Casey (Rileigh), Jessica Jensen, Bailey McKay, and Kane, Weston, Xavier, and Blaze Grace; great-granddaughter, Blair Jensen; siblings, Roland Crays, Barry (Jean) Crays, Sharon (Jerry) Kroese, and Karen Etter; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Organist Judy Rada and Cantor, Sara Weber, led the congregation as they sang, “How Great Thou Art,” “Be Not Afraid,” “One Bread, One Body” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Casket bearers included Cody Jensen, Lonnie Crays, Bailey McKay, Casey Jensen, Brian Kroese and Jessica Jensen. Honorary casket bearers were Kane Grace, Xavier Grace, Weston Grace, Blaze Grace and Blair Jensen.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Don was Sept, 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tobias with Father Robert Barnhill presiding.. The graveside service was at the Atlanta Cemetery in rural Milligan. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Arrangements by Farmer and Son Funeral Home.
