Rev. Donald F. Jenkins, age 84, of Edison, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home.

He was born August 18, 1934 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Stanley and Emelia (Gnade) Jenkins.

Donald served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He worked briefly as a diesel mechanic in Louisiana, where he wed Carol DiGiovanni on December 28, 1957.

Donald then attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, in Springfield, Illinois. Ordained in 1963, he served as a pastor for 36 years at churches in Huntington/ Charleston, West Virginia; Deerfield/Ulysses, Kansas; Forrest City/Brinkley, Arkansas; Corning/Craig /Mound City, Missouri; and Forest Green, Missouri.

Upon retirement, Donald and Carol worked as volunteers for Laborers for Christ until they settled in Nebraska in 2006.

Donald is survived by his wife Carol; their seven sons: Michael (Nancy) of Maryville, Missouri, Mark (Deb) of Waverly, Kansas, Martin (Rema) of Westboro, Missouri, Matthew (Lana) of Wilcox, Nebraska, Myron (Barb) of Auburn, Nebraska, Marvin (Debbie) of Sabetha, Kansas, and Morgan of Arapahoe, Nebraska; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers: John (Anita) Diesing of Phoenix, Arizona and Virgil Diesing of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister-in-law Pat Diesing of Maquoketa, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George Diesing, and sister-in-law Linda Diesing.

Memorial services will be Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Rev. James Moshier officiating.

Inurnment will follow at the St. Matthew’s Cemetery, at Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3 As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.