The “Celebration of Life” service for Doug will be from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Eagle’s Club, 132 West 12th St. in Crete NE, with the service and story sharing at 2:00 pm. Potluck with crock pots of various food. Bring a dish as wanted. Cash bar. Please bring a picture of Doug for the display board. Thank you! Hope to see you there.

Douglas Lee Kroese (Doug, Dougie), age 73, tragically passed away in a home fire on March 12, 2026. Doug was the eldest of four children, born on July 30, 1952, to Dean E. Kroese and Martha S. (McDonald) Kroese. He grew up in rural areas and worked several jobs including at a grain elevator business owned by his family.

Doug was a very skilled mechanic and worked for the Lancaster County Shop for approximately 40 years. He was the tough guy who fixed road graders and heavy equipment in all kinds of weather, at all kinds of locations, even in the middle of blizzards, and in the middle of the night, often putting in 24 hours during a storm. Doug operated and repaired heavy equipment, farm equipment, trucks, cars, vacuum cleaners, heaters, fans, and lawn mowers. You name it, Doug could probably fix it. Rumor has it that Doug could recall the part number of everything he ever put into any equipment or vehicle. Doug’s preferred reading materials were parts-magazines. He often talked about picking up and carrying car engines. Doug was an incredibly strong man. He was also very ornery, and everyone knew not to get into a hand squeezing contest with Doug.  He was also an excellent cook, creating masterpieces in cast iron skillets and making savory crock pot casseroles.

Doug devoted much of his time in saintly endeavors, helping friends and strangers by fixing their equipment and vehicles at little or no charge. Instead of spending money to buy a big home on an acreage, go on vacation, or buy fancy clothes, Doug preferred to spend his time and money helping others. He often travelled Lancaster County fixing equipment, having lunch at local taverns, and left large tips for single barmaids raising children alone. Doug preferred to spend holiday meals at the various taverns to offer support to those who did not have families or were taking a break from their families. Doug also pack-ratted various items and when he learned that someone needed something he would happily find it and give it to that person. He lived by the motto “See a need, fill a need.”

Doug had many guy-friends and girl-friends. He also usually remained friends with old romantic girlfriends and said years ago, “Once you love someone you always love them, what changes is how you love them.” He loved many people but could be equally crabby toward others.

Doug was also a movie buff. He saw himself in the bigfoot character, in the movie “Harry and the Henderson’s”, especially when the wise bigfoot was naughty. Doug also liked the movie “Shrek” and related to the big-hearted ogre. He and Shrek even raise that one eyebrow the same way when giving someone “the look”. Doug received Shrek memorabilia as gifts from his family, with a big grin. In the movie “Shrek 2”, when Shrek takes human form and the song plays in the background, “I need a Hero” just add a beard to that “human Shrek” and he would look very much like Doug. He was indeed a hero to many people, a larger than life, stubborn, and mighty man.

In June 2011, Doug had a “left basal ganglia stroke” which significantly affected his right side. After this, he was unable to work full time at the County Shop or complete as much mechanical work as he preferred. After being discharged from the hospital, he was cared for by Donna and family in Lincoln. Doug annoyingly cared for 10 puppies each morning, which was a big topic of laughter at his outpatient hospital therapy. Beau (stepson) helped Doug regain his driving skills after the stroke, driving many miles around Lancaster County.

After the stroke, Doug strongly disliked losing full use of his right arm, but he stubbornly prevailed. He liked to hang out in his man cave, drink a few brews, watch Gunsmoke and other old movies–especially westerns. He often adopted sayings by the character Festus. Doug had many sayings. He was stubborn, ornery, and as honest as the day is long. He was also an excellent listener, a wise sounding-board and often helped others resolve life issues. When Donna was in college prior to 1997 and presented a class idea to Doug, he would wisely finish the sentence, Donna would ask how can you possibly know this? Doug’s response was that he walked down the country road and thought about it. A smart man indeed.

Recently, Doug and Donna had been reminiscing about fun times at Roca Tavern on packed Sunday nights with live bands. On one night, Johnny the bartender was relentlessly teasing Doug as he loved to do. Doug eventually turned his beer glass upside down, which means no more, then he slowly stood up. Doug usually walked slowly and purposefully, like a big old bear. Doug suddenly turned toward the big, wide bar, took a couple of running steps, put one hand on the bar and leapt over, landing with both feet on the other side with a resounding thud as the floor beneath him shook! It is a wonder the old floor did not give out under his feet. He landed right behind Johhny who squealed out a shocked expletive and began running, as Doug chased him around the bar. No one knew that Doug could ever move that fast or leap that high, and the entire bar of people burst out in huge laughter, shocked, and totally entertained by what they had just witnessed!! It was hysterically funny.

In March 2026, just two days before the fire, Doug grinned from ear to ear and chuckled as these memories were discussed and laughed over, with the wish that we could go back in time and do them again. Doug remarked that “Yep, not many knew I could move that fast.” That entire week had been chatting about different fun memories. Gratefully.

Now, Doug leaves behind a grieving family and friends. All three stepsons had a warm relationship with Doug. Beau was the closest to Doug and used to hitch rides on Doug’s shoulders as a toddler. Doug gave Justice an engraved pocket watch just a week before the fire. The same one that Donna gave to Doug 35 years earlier, so he could keep track of time, and not work after dark at the farm; where Donna would find him when he didn’t come home by dark; worried that he’d been hurt. Jesse often chatted with Doug in his man cave, helped carry in Doug’s brew, and assisted him with any request.

Doug often hung out with his friends at various taverns, most recently at the Eagle’s club in Crete, especially after the Wilbur bar closed. Donna recently joked with Doug that she needed to go with him again and have a beer, but to not worry, she’d give him a couple of days’ notice so he could warn his bar girlfriend. Doug just chuckled and grinned.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, (Dean 7/8/2001) and (Martha 8/1/1999) and his beloved stepson Beau (5/10/2022) pictured in the 1997 obit family photo.

Please search for pictures of Doug to share. He often refused to let pictures be taken. Please bring a copy of your picture to put on a memorial picture board or share with Donna at PO Box 23125, Lincoln NE 68542 to be added to the memorial picture board for Doug’s service. The “family picture” on this obituary was taken in 1997 by our dear friend Ronna, the owner of Major’s Cafe at Hwy 77 and Saltillo Road, after Donna begged for a Christmas picture. Of course, Doug took a sip of beer and put rabbit ears behind Donna’s head, capturing his ornery and naughty, but funny nature. He couldn’t help himself. Doug was also Ronna’s unofficial bouncer, more “fun” stories to ask Ronna.

Doug will be sorely missed, and his family remains in shock and grief.

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