Donald Fredrick Bart

Donald Fredrick Bart, 84, passed away on May 7, 2015 in Port St. Lucie, Fl. Born on August 30, 1930, to Julius and Lena (Blum) Bart in his beloved Howells, Nebraska, he was a small town boy with a big heart. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan (McNally) Bart, daughters: Denise Hernandez (Joseph Hernandez), Diane Samstad (Garold Messerschmidt), Deb Bart (Jeffery Madden), and Donna Bart, and sons; Jack (Janice Cochran Bart) and James (Shelley Duncan Bart.) Don was predeceased by his son, Donald Jeffery Bart. Don and Joan have 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Don spent most of his younger years traveling around Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa as his father worked for Peter Kiewit and Sons Construction Company. He attended Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Iowa and graduated in 1948, Don always held the memories of those high school years and the people of this town close to his heart. After serving a tour of duty in Germany with the United States Army, Don settled in the Omaha area, eventually following in his fathers footsteps and becoming an employee of Peter Kiewit where he would work until his retirement in 1988. He met the love of his life, Joan, married July 30, 1954, and was an active member of the community in Council Bluffs, Iowa until retiring to Florida. Don was a creative and generous spirit; he enjoyed working with stained glass, construction projects, photography, music, gardening, and recording major life events with his camera and beloved computer. Everyone he knew became a beneficiary of his handiwork. Don always said he was a teacher at heart and found his second career as a member of the Treasure Coast Computer Users Group, spending many happy years giving presentations and instruction to those trying to master beginning computer skills. Don will be remembered for his love of family, his generous heart and his joyous spirit. A memorial service is planned for May 30, 2015, from 2p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hoy/Kilnoski Funeral Home in Council Bluffs.