Donald E. Mai Sr., age 74 of WaKeeney, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Hays Medical Center, Hays. He was born March 13, 1942, in WaKeeney, to Fred J. and Christina (Mai) Mai.

Donald was a graduate of Trego Community High School. On March 21, 1965, he was united in marriage to Victoria Deines, WaKeeney. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage together, until her death on March 21, 2001. Three children were born to this union. Donald then married Shirley Neff on April 9, 2009.

Throughout his life, Donald was in the grain elevator business, having worked for many elevators, including, Haddem Grain Company in WaKeeney, Morrison Grain Company in Salina, Hedville Elevator in Hedville, Lewis Dryfus Corporation in Mississippi, Kipp Elevator in Kipp, Enterprise and Detroit Elevator in Enterprise, and Stamford Grain and Feed Elevator in Stanford, Nebraska. Donald was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, volunteered and served as Fire Chief for the Stamford Fire Department, and served on the Harlan County Hospital Board in Alma, Nebraska. He loved to hunt, garden, help on the farm, and do woodworking. Most importantly, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren. Donald will be dearly missed by many friends and family, whose lives were touched by his kindness.

Survivors include his wife, of WaKeeney; two children, Angela (Loren) Wagner, of Culbertson, Nebraska, and Don, Jr. of Holdrege, Nebraska; two step-children, Kenny (Renee) Neff of WaKeeney, and Shelley (Ted) Berning, of Colwich, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Maranda, Morgan, Mason, Faith, Jakob, Tarin (Nic), Tori, and Dalton; two brothers, Kenneth of Shawnee, Kansas, and Richard of Fort Morgan, Colorado; six sisters, Alvina Zeh, of Hemet, California, Marie Kroeger of Florence, Oregon, Darlene Luttig, of Temple City, California, Betty Stone, of Spring Valley, California, Evelyn Clark, of Morland, Kansas, and Sharon Bell, of Centennial, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Victoria; daughter, Donna Jean; brothers, Emanuel and Melvin; and sisters, Hellen Irene and Billie Burgardt.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 5, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church, south of WaKeeney in Trego Center. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehab (TCLMH Cardiac Rehab). Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be sent to the family via online guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com.