Darrel D. Williamsen

Darrel Williamsen was born in Omaha, NE on June 23, 1940 to Gilbert Williamsen and Rhoda Williamsen (Kempcke). He was preceded in death by both parents.

Dale Williamsen is Darrel's younger brother.

Growing up, some of Darrel’s favorite activities included hunting and participating in his high school ROTC program. While in high school, Darrel met the love of his life, Mary Wagner – better known by her nickname, Gee or Gi-Gi. In 1958, he graduated from North High School in Omaha and began college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he studied construction. He and Gee were married in 1960. They were blessed with their first child, Greg, in 1963 and their second child, Amy in 1970.

Darrel loved to work with his hands and was very talented at building things, including the first of two houses that he and Gee lived in, 1st one in Saddle Hills from 1963 thru 1977. His 2nd house was built north of Ft. Calhoun, NE, where they lived from 1977 thru 1983. During the time in Ft. Calhoun, he added a barn and corral for their 2 horses. Owning horses had been a lifelong dream for both Darrel and Gee. While in Ft. Calhoun, he coached Amy’s softball team and was part of the building committee for the new Catholic church (St. John the Baptist Catholic Church). He was also a member of the Fort Calhoun Lions Club.

In 1983, Darrel took a job as Chief Estimator at a construction company in the town of Harlingen, located in the southernmost tip of Texas. They lived in Harlingen from 1983 thru 1993. While in Harlingen, Darrel designed the swimming pool and hot tub that were added in their backyard. They were able to enjoy the pool/hot tub year-round because of the hot Texas weather. He and Gee would frequently meet with friends to play Bunco. They also loved to spend time at South Padre Island.

In 1993, they moved back to Nebraska and built their third and final home. Getting back to Nebraska where their immediate family still lived was very important to Darrel and Gee. He found more of the projects he loved doing in their new house. These projects included finishing their basement and designing and building a sunroom off their kitchen.

Darrel retired in 2006. In his retirement years Darrel made it a point to attend as many events as possible that his grandchildren (Zach, Christin, & Megan) were involved in. All the while making friends with the parents of the teams they played on. During the Summer months, Darrel enjoyed working in the yard, which usually ended up with him having many conversations with his neighbors. He was good friends with many of their neighbors. Darrel often spent the cold winter months building Guillows balsa wood model airplanes. A few times he was able to tour some of the actual planes at Offutt AFB so he could add extra details to the models that were not in the instructions. Darrel was also a 3rd degree member of the Ft. Calhoun Knights of Columbus (Council #10305).

The years that they lived in Saddle Hills was a very special time for Darrel and Gee. Many of the neighbors from Saddle Hills have remained lifelong friends. Making lifelong friends was very typical of Darrel, the most important things to him were his family and his friends. He loved meeting people and learning about their lives. He loved music - jazz music was a particular favorite. And on weekends, one could often hear Darrel listening to Polka music.

Darrel was a hard worker, loving husband and father, and loved his family. He always put his family first, ahead of any of his dreams or items that he may have wanted for himself. He treated people as he would have wanted them to treat him, with kindness and respect.

We love you and there is a special place in each of our hearts where we will always carry loving memories of our time with you.

Survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Gee; children, Gregory (Gloria) Williamsen and Amy Williamsen; grandchildren, Zach (Tonya) Williamsen, Christin (Conner) Koerperich, and Megan Williamsen; great-grandson, Tyson; brother, Dale (Alice) Williamsen; many nieces and nephews; his extended family; and many good friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday 11am at the Pacific Street Chapel. 

MEMORIAL VISITATION with the family: Friday 5-7pm at the Pacific Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.