Don F. Aberer, a proud Catholic, devoted father of eight children, 28 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, passed away on April 30, 2025, due to complications related to his heart.
Born on October 5, 1942, in Kansas City, MO, Don was the son of James and Frances Aberer. He grew up in Shawnee Mission, KS, and attended Bishop Miege High School. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, and during training in Monterey, CA, he met the love of his life, Diane. They married on April 24, 1965, at Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO.
A man of deep faith, Don was committed to passing on his Catholic beliefs to his children. He spent several years teaching classes at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Easton, MO, where his family attended. Later, while living in Branson, he was a member and daily communicant at Our Lady of the Cove Catholic Church in Kimberling City, MO. After suffering a stroke, he moved back to St. Joseph, MO, to be closer to family. There, he and Diane continued to daily attend as members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where his funeral will be held.
In 1973, Don and Diane moved to a farm in Gower, MO, where his natural talent as a jack-of-all-trades thrived. Alongside working as a full-time machinist at TWA (later American Airlines), the couple farmed wheat and raised pigs, cows, and even emus. Don also ran a fish farming business for stocking farm ponds for many years. During this time, they launched a metalworks business that continued well after his supposed “retirement.” His children still do not know if he actually retired.
On a typical day, Don would come home from TWA, spend some time in the shop or fish house, and then come in for dinner. Afterwards, he would make a bowl of popcorn on the stovetop and pour it into his favorite wooden popcorn bowl (a sacred relic, basically), and crack open an encyclopedia like it was a spy novel. His love for learning (especially the sciences) opened the door for many in his family to pursue this same love of learning - for one even extending this love through teaching science leading students to local, regional, and national awards in STEM. All from the example and foundation he laid from his quiet genius and deep love for knowledge.
After “retirement,” Don and Diane moved to Table Rock Lake, where he built their home while continuing to run the metalworks business. Many of his grandchildren spent cherished weeks visiting them in Branson, making memories filled with trips to Silver Dollar City, swimming in the lake, riding the jet skis, and celebrating the Fourth of July with homemade fireworks and a big cannon. For some, the most precious moments were the quiet ones-waking up early, sitting on the porch swing with Grandma and Grandpa, simply enjoying their company and the cool morning air.
Don loved to tinker and build things, especially if they benefited his family, friends, and neighbors. He was an accomplished machinist, welder, and carpenter, and even taught adult welding classes at the local high school in Gower for a couple of years. Grandpa Don could build any machine imaginable and had a remarkable knack for solving problems most wouldn’t even think possible. He was hardworking, stubborn, ornery, and a bit of a teaser. He had a unique love language - picking on those he loved.
In the hospital, the nurses often heard him refer to Diane as “that old woman”-a playful jest about the woman he had celebrated 60 years of marriage with just days before his passing. The grandchildren, accustomed to their affectionate arguing, sometimes wondered about their love for each other, but their devotion was undeniable. Their love was very evident in their lifelong dedication to each other and all the adventures they shared.
In one example, a granddaughter recalled a favorite memory at their dining table in Branson. Diane was speaking from the kitchen, but Don didn’t respond. Frustrated, she huffed and walked away, assuming he hadn’t heard her. Then, with a mischievous grin, Don leaned in and whispered to his granddaughter, “I can hear a lot better than she thinks I can.” Then he laughed and laughed.
Perhaps more than anything, Don’s laugh will be remembered. His laughter shook his entire body, shaking the seat where he sat. Most of the family inherited their laugh from him. He taught them the value of hard work, how to think outside the box, and the importance of humor. His ingenuity, faith, and sense of humor will live on in those who knew and loved him.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, James B. Aberer I and Frances Aberer, as well as his grandson, Landon Aberer. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane, of 60 years; his eight children: Sherry (Ken) Phelan of Wytheville, VA; Kenneth (Lorna) Aberer of Riverside, MO; Michael (Joleen) Aberer of St. Joseph, MO; Jennifer (Ben) Cleveland of Savannah, MO; Deborah (Ryan) Cox of Independence, MO; Christina (Jeff) Green of St. Joseph, MO; Keith (Heather) Aberer of Columbia, MO; and Mark Aberer of Independence, MO. He is also survived by 28 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and his two brothers, Jim Aberer II and Gary Aberer, both of CA.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday, with a rosary to be prayed at 6:30 pm Wednesday at Rupp Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Thursday, at Our Lady of Guadalupe catholic church, St. Joseph, MO. Fr. Garrett King Celebrant. Inurnment at the Our Lady of the Cove, Cemetery, Branson Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Pregnancy Resource Clinic to support their work with helping women choose life.
