Don M. “Abe” Abrahams, 77, died Monday, November 9, 2020 at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born July 25, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska to Melvin and Irma (Petracek) Abrahams.
Don spent much of his childhood in Wilbur, Nebraska (Czech Capital of Nebraska) where he was watched over by his beloved Bub (maternal grandmother) due to his parents working full time. For middle school and most of high school he attended school in Lincoln, NE. His father had to change jobs his junior year relocating the family to Oklahoma City, OK where Don finished high school. Having reached a height of 6’9”, he played varsity center for both Lincoln and Oklahoma City schools.
From high school, Don was scouted to play basketball for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons. After Hutchinson Community College graduation, he attended the University of Kansas where he was placed in a dorm with the basketball and football teams where he quickly became the ghostwriter for many term papers and other academic requirements. He enjoyed playing intramural basketball while there.
He returned to Hutchinson and began working at Cessna where he met his wife, Laura. She just happened to drive behind him into the plant parking lot on her first day there. Don stayed with Cessna as it changed hands to General Dynamics and then to Eaton. All told, he retired after 41.5 years in the same building...though not the same company. He enjoyed many activities while working there such as golf, building kites and playing practical jokes.
On June 16, 1973, he married Laura Wroe at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Bunte who hosted many weddings in their backyard. By the time Don met Laura, he was a confirmed bachelor according to his friends, however, that turned out not to be the case. They built their dream home together in the sandhills north of Hutchinson where Don felt he could finally “breathe.”
Don had many pastimes including hunting, trapping and enjoying sports, but he was known for the ones that were a bit in left field. He took many people frog hunting and tagged monarch butterflies with his children as well as raising a large number of butterflies at home. Metal detecting, coin collecting and hunting for Native American Artifacts were also some of his favorite things to do. He turned a few plants into an acre of strawberries with the help of his wife, which they sold under the name UPick Strawberries for a few years. His sense of humor was something he was known for. Many hours were spent driving and wandering through the sandhills and speaking for at least an hour or more to anyone he ran into. He knew a lot about many different subjects and liked to share that knowledge with others. He was extremely curious about everything clear up until the very end of his life.
He was preceded in death by his father, sister, Joyce Wolcott and in-laws, Harold “Red” and Vivian Wroe.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Laura, rural Inman; daughter and son-in-law, Kristie and Jason Jermark, Oakville, Ontario, Canada; son, Shane, Hutchinson; mother, Irma, Hutchinson; and newborn grandson, Wyatt Jermark. Due to the ongoing pandemic, he was unable to meet his grandson in person, however, they did meet virtually through many phone calls and video chats. Don is also survived by many extended family members and many friends that were as close as family.
Due to COVID restrictions, a public memorials service is planned for the spring of 2021. Friends may sign the book daily at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Reno County of the Dillon Nature Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, 67501. Cards may be sent to his mother, Irma Abrahams, at Wesley Towers Thorne Care Center, 3705 Asbury Dr., Hutchinson, KS, 67502.