Dr. Donald James Ediger Obituary (1944 - 2020)

IN LOVING MEMORY Dr. Donald James Ediger November 22, 1944 - March 3, 2020 Dr. Donald James Ediger, son of John J. Ediger and Elizabeth (Quiring) Ediger, was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters and the only one of the eight born in a hospital. Known by relatives as "Jim," he grew up in Hampton, Nebraska and attended Hampton Public Schools. He was active in sports, playing basketball and running track. During the summers he farmed alongside his brother Ben. After high school he attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, majoring in Biology. While at Tabor he was inspired by a local optometrist in Hillsboro to pursue a Doctor of Optometry degree. In his junior year he met his future wife, Lois (Goertzen) Ediger. She was pleasantly surprised when he asked her out on a date for a coke after an evening church service. There was a mutual attraction and after dating two years they were married August 20, 1966 at the Henderson Mennonite Brethren Church. Following their marriage, they moved to Chicago where he would attend Illinois College of Optometry. After graduation they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to begin his optometry practice with Dr. Richard Thomas. With the Vietnam War well in progress he was drafted for service at age 27 shortly after beginning his optometry practice. Following basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, he was assigned his post in Kansas. As Captain Ediger he served two years as an Army optometrist at Fort Riley, near Junction City, Kansas. Don and Lois felt blessed by the Lord to become the parents of two children, Kristin and Shannon, over the ensuing years. He worked hard for many years as a private practice optometrist and helped many loyal patients with their vision. He retired in 2012 and enjoyed his retirement years traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with family. He has been such a blessing to us through all the years. As his health declined and he was facing sudden illness, he drew closer and closer to the Lord. He continually shared with others his faith in Jesus and that he knew he would go Heaven to be with Him. We know he prayed for us daily and his life was a reflection of his favorite passage of scripture, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Ed, Ben, and John Ediger and three sisters, Lillian Winter, Mary Ann Regier, and Janice Simonson. Those who remain to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Lois, daughter Kristin and husband Brandon Webb of Lincoln, Nebraska and daughter Shannon and husband Shawn Smith of Windsor, Colorado, along with 6 grandchildren, Emily, Caroline, Sarah, and Jake Webb, and Cameron and Keaton Smith, and brother Larry and wife Joyce Ediger of Aurora, Nebraska. We grieve over his death and will miss him greatly. We rejoice with him in the victory Christ has given to those who know him. To know the joy he experienced when he saw Jesus brings peace to those of us who remain. We will see him in that place where there is no pain or suffering and we know that he wants to see all of you there as well. Do you know Him, the Savior that came as a babe, who died on a cross for each of us? Our prayer as a family and what was his prayer is that all would know Jesus. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Lincoln Pregnancy Center or Woods Tennis Center. Pregnancy Center111 Piazza Terrace, Lincoln NE 68510Tel: 1-402-483-4247Web: http://pregnancycenterlincoln.org/ Woods Tennis Center401 S 33rd Street, Lincoln NE 68510Tel: 1-402-441-7095Web: https://woodstenniscenter.wordpress.com/