Nicholas Donatus Seger - Obituary

The Atkinson Graphic
11 Feb 1944
DEATH TAKES DONAT SEGER, 77, FUNERAL TO BE NEXT MONDAY

Death came early this morning to Nicholas Donatus Seger, 77, who lived in this community almost all of his life and for the past 35 years was in business here with his brother, Paul, in the firm of Seger Bros Garage.

Mr Seger had been ill with a heart ailment for some time.

Funeral rites will be conducted at St Joseph’s Catholic church at 10 o’clock Monday morning, according to present arrangements. Surviving is one son, John, of Omaha, two brothers, Max of Stuart and Paul of Atkinson.

Mr Seger is a former member of the Atkinson City Council, serving several terms with that body, and in past years was very active in local political and commercial club affairs.

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From: The Atkinson Graphic Feb 18,1944
RITES AT St JOSEPH’S FOR N D SEGER WHO LIVED HERE 63 YEARS

While Atkinson business places were closed in respect for a long time business associate and former city official, funeral services for Donat Seger, 77, were held Monday morning at St Joseph’s Catholic Church here.

Mr Seger, ill with a heart ailment for several months, died at his home here early Friday morning, February 11. A pioneer who came here the same year the town of Atkinson was founded, 1880, he helped build the railroad line west of here, farmed near here for many years, pioneered in the automobile business and established the first Ford agency west of Norfolk and served many years on the Atkinson city council.

The requiem mass at St Joseph’s Church was celebrated by the Rev A A Lehmen, pastor. Burial was in the family lot in St Joseph’s Cem. The pallbearers were William Wilkinson, Frank Pettinger, Anton Dobrovolny, and Eli McConnell, all of Atkinson, Alois P Wewel of Newport and James J O’Connor of Omaha.

OBITUARY
Nicholas Donatus Seger, son of Margaret Sontag and Donatus Seger was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 24,1867 and died at his home in Atkinson February 11,1944, at the age of 77 years and 18 days.

At the age of 11 years, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska with his parents who lived there two years. From Omaha the Seger family came by wagon to Holt County arriving here April 1,1880. They homesteaded west of Atkinson on the Elkhorn River on the place now known as the Edward Kramer farm.

On their arrival in the settlement which a few months later was to be organized as the village of Atkinson, there were only three buildings making up the business section.

From 1882 to 1886 Donat was employed by the railroad in the construction of the line west to Valentine. From 1887 to 1889 he worked in the old railroad gravel pit three miles west of Atkinson. His experience of pioneer day hardships included the great blizzard Aug 13,1938.

On Jan 27,1896 he was united in marriage to Josephine Kramer in St Joseph’s Church in Atkinson. To this union two sons were born, Edward who died in infancy in 1915 and John H. His wife preceded him in death on Aug 18,1838.

For many years Mr Seger operated the farm which is now the Fred Vogel place, northwest of here. In 1910 he moved from the farm to Atkinson where he and his brother, Paul, formed the business partnership which since has been known as Seger Brothers.

They established here the first Ford Automobile agency west of Norfolk, and for several years the firm also sold farm machinery and equipment. The business was housed in a large wooden building located where the post office, Chaces Market and the Lyric Theater now stand.

About 8 years after the partnership was established, they erected the cement block garage building which has since been known as Seger Bros Garage.

Before age and ill health overtook him, Donat was active in affairs of the community and he served 12 years as a member of the city council, representing the third ward. He was a member of the A OU W,Yeoman, and the Sons of Herman. For many years his chief hobbies were hunting and fishing.

He is survived by a son, John H of Omaha; two brothers, Paul of Atkinson and Max of Stuart; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends who mourn his death.