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Don Wesely, former Nebraska legislator and Lincoln mayor, dies

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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DON WESELY | 1954-2025

Don Wesely, former Nebraska legislator and Lincoln mayor, dies

Beutler and Wesely

State Sens. Chris Beutler (left) and Don Wesely at the Legislature on June 3, 1993.

Journal Star file photo

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Chris Dunker | Lincoln Journal Star ,  Margaret Reist

Don Wesely, a longtime state lawmaker from Lincoln who also served a term as the city's mayor, died unexpectedly this week at his home. He was 70.

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Don Wesely 

Courtesy photo

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Mayoral candidate Don Wesely does some last-minute campaigning at the corner of 13th and O streets in May 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

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Mayor Don Wesely's son Andrew hobnobs with U.S. Sen. James Exon and former Gov. Frank Morrison at City Hall as former Lincoln mayors and Nebraska governors gathered to congratulate Don Wesely following his swearing-in ceremony on May 17, 1999

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

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Former and current Lincoln mayors pose for a picture with former U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (center) in the Lincoln City Council chambers in May 2019. From left: Chris Beutler, Coleen Seng, Nelson, Leirion Gaylor Baird and Don Wesely.

Journal Star file photo

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Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely gets a hand carrying bags of pennies to his car after Zeman Elementary School students collected more than $450 dollars in pennies to contribute to the Pennies for Lincoln statue in April 2000.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

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Former Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely bought the six-bedroom house built for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." 

Journal Star file photo

Photos: Former Lincoln mayor Don Wesely through the years

Former Gov. Kay Orr (right), signs legislation to allow renovation of Morrill Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and another project at Kearney State College. Sen. Don Wesely (seated) and Sen. Shirley Marsh (standing) both of Lincoln, are also pictured.

Lincoln Journal Star library

State Sens. Chris Beutler (left) and Don Wesely at the Legislature on June 3, 1993.

Journal Star file photo

Sen. Don Wesely and his son Andrew share a moment during the legislative session on June 5, 1997.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Mayoral candidates Don Wesely (from left) and Cindy Johnson hear remarks by moderator David Stoeffler, editor of the Lincoln Journal Star, before a forum at Gere Library in April 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Don Wesely smiles and his supporters celebrate as the first returns in Lincoln's mayoral race come across the television on May 4, 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Mayor-elect Don Wesely stands in Arnold Heights Park with the city behind him on May 5, 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Former Lincoln Mayor Helen Boosalis (left) visits with new Mayor Don Wesely (from left) and former Govs. Frank Morrison, Charles Thone and Ben Nelson. They all gathered at City Hall on May 17, 1999, for Wesely's swearing in as mayor. Then-Gov. Mike Johanns also attended. 

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD FILE PHOTO

Mayor Don Wesely's son Andrew hobnobs with U.S. Sen. James Exon and former Gov. Frank Morrison at City Hall as former Lincoln mayors and Nebraska governors gathered to congratulate Don Wesely following his swearing-in ceremony on May 17, 1999

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Don Wesley is sworn in as mayor of Lincoln in May 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely announces plans for a new baseball stadium for Lincoln in July 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

In this 1999 photo, Helen Boosalis endorses Don Wesely for Lincoln mayor.

Journal Star file photo

Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely gets a hand carrying bags of pennies to his car after Zeman Elementary School students collected more than $450 dollars in pennies to contribute to the Pennies for Lincoln statue in April 2000.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

A 2001 entertainment marketing study during Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely’s (1999-2003) term said the city would need to improve its entertainment venues to draw multistate and regional events. The study said renovating Pershing would be "cost-prohibitive." Wesely said a new entertainment center was vital to the city's continued healthy growth.

Journal Star file photo

Mayor Don Wesely pins badge #201 on Fire Equipment Mechanic Don Wigle as nine recruits joined the Lincoln Fire Department in February 2000.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Mayor Don Wesley signs a proclamation prior to reading it during a picnic at Cooper Park organized by the Nebraska Coalition for LGBT Civil Rights in July 2002. The event included a cookout and dance.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Don Wesely found a "Move that bus!" souvenir in the "Extreme Makeover" home he bought in Havelock.

Journal Star file photo

Former Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely bought the six-bedroom house built for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." 

Journal Star file photo

Former and current Lincoln mayors pose for a picture with former U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (center) in the Lincoln City Council chambers in May 2019. From left: Chris Beutler, Coleen Seng, Nelson, Leirion Gaylor Baird and Don Wesely.

Journal Star file photo

Mayoral candidate Don Wesely does some last-minute campaigning at the corner of 13th and O streets in May 1999.

JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

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Margaret Reist

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EG99050302.jpg

Mayoral candidate Don Wesely does some last-minute campaigning at the corner of 13th and O streets in May 1999.

State Sens. Chris Beutler (left) and Don Wesely at the Legislature on June 3, 1993.

Mayor Don Wesely's son Andrew hobnobs with U.S. Sen. James Exon and former Gov. Frank Morrison at City Hall as former Lincoln mayors and Nebraska governors gathered to congratulate Don Wesely following his swearing-in ceremony on May 17, 1999

Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely gets a hand carrying bags of pennies to his car after Zeman Elementary School students collected more than $450 dollars in pennies to contribute to the Pennies for Lincoln statue in April 2000.

Former Lincoln Mayor Don Wesely bought the six-bedroom house built for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." 

Former and current Lincoln mayors pose for a picture with former U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (center) in the Lincoln City Council chambers in May 2019. From left: Chris Beutler, Coleen Seng, Nelson, Leirion Gaylor Baird and Don Wesely.

Don Wesely 

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