Donald Dwight Briggs, age 68, of Missouri Valley, passed away on Oct. 6, 2026, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Neb., surrounded by the love of his family.
Donnie was born on Oct. 25, 1957, to Donald and Penny (Gore) Briggs.
He graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1977, and attended Iowa Western Community College graduating with a degree in Diesel Mechanics.
Donnie and Beth (Waterhouse) were united in marriage on Aug. 8, 1987. Beth passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm on May 29, 2011.
Remaining to cherish Donnie’s memory are his beloved children, Brian Briggs and wife Kristi, along with their children, Peyton and Claire. Rachel Steffen and husband Cory, along with their children, Colt and Cade. Many friends and extended family.
Donnie worked for the Missouri Valley Community School District for 30+ years in the Maintenance/Transportation/Bus Garage. He loved his school family and gabbing with the “ladies in the office” as he did his daily mail route. He may have been a tough guy on the outside, but he enjoyed all the bus routes/trips he drove and being known as Mr. Briggs by many students throughout the years.
Donnie never met a stranger. He was often known as the “Welcoming Committee” because he always had something to say or a smile to give to anyone that he passed by.
He very much enjoyed Friday night bowling league when Brian and Rachel were growing up, and it soon became a weekly tradition for the whole family with many memories.
He loved to keep his grandkids in line, but they could always find the soft spot in Grandpa/Papa and got away with more than he liked to admit. He never turned down a game of catch or a big push on the swing. And the minute you mentioned his grandpups, his eyes lit up!
He spent his two years of retirement living the easy life, just as he always said he would. He was happiest when everyone was over at his house, just sitting around talking about their day. He enjoyed many lunch dates and shopping trips with Rachel and daily phone chats about anything and everything with Brian. He always had a new story to tell Kristi and loved talking about farm life with Cory. If he wasn’t kicked back watching the race or a football game, he was at the ball field or school event for Colt & Cade. He was most proud of Peyton and Claire and watching them transition into adulthood while finding their way through college. He didn’t miss a beat for those he loved most.
Donnie battled a very complicated health journey following major heart surgery on June 22, 2026. He fought hard, always had the best attitude even on the hardest days, and remained in good spirits until the very end when he became tired and was called to Heaven on Oct. 6, 2026 — just 19 days shy of his 69th birthday.
We find peace and comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with the love of his life of almost 40 years! Time to make up for the last 15 that they’ve missed out on together.
To know Donnie was to love Donnie, and he will be missed by many.
Services were held Oct. 9, 2026.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home, Missouri Valley.
