Douglas “Doug” Ingalsbe

A memorial service and celebration of life for 36-year old Douglas “Doug” Ingalsbe, formerly of Chadron, NE, will be held Friday, Oct 7, 2022, (Doug’s Birthday) at 2:00 at Wilson Park in Chadron.

Everyone is invited to attend service and celebration as well as the BBQ meal that will follow and Karaoke Friday evening in Doug’s honor at the Rushville American Legion that evening in Doug’s honor.

Cards and memorials can be sent to Doug’s mother, Cathy Niehues, Box 342 Rushville, Nebraska 69360.

A bright shining light has been taken from us far too soon. Douglas Ray Ingalsbe of Austin, Texas, was found deceased in his apartment on September 6, 2022.

Doug was born in Norfolk, NE, on October 7, 1985, and spent the early years of his life with his family in Battle Creek, NE.  In 1992, they moved to Chadron. 

Doug was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, where his leadership skills and willingness to serve others helped him to excel, achieving Vigil level in the Order of the Arrow, where he served as lodge chief and was part of the ceremony team. 

He also enjoyed serving two summers on Staff at Laramie Peak Scout Camp in Wyoming, and was awarded the prestigious Founder’s Award for his dedication, service, and leadership.

Doug attended Chadron High School, where he participated in speech and drama, choir, and mock trial. Doug was chosen to be a Cardinal Singer, and was cast in musicals and one-act plays before graduatin in 2003.

Doug loved interacting with people and most of his occupations involved that. His very first job was at Hardee’s in Chadron when he was 15. They couldn’t hire him in the restaurant until he was 16, but he kept going in and asking the manager if there was anything he could do – eventually getting hired to clean up the parking lot a few days a week. 

Doug worked a number of jobs in Chadron after that, and from fast food to Telemarketing to working the door at the Overdraft Lounge, he always did his best to help those around him and make the work environment fun.

In 2016, Doug followed his dear friends Andy and Faye Dierksen to Austin, where he went to work for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. 

During his time there, he spent several weeks in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, helping people get emergency assistance after that horrible disaster. The stress of that job led him to Austin Energy, where he trained new employees that worked in the billing department.

If you ever met Doug, you never forgot him. He was always ready with a big smile, a compliment, and a witty joke that would make you feel comfortable. He cherished his friends and family, and never passed up an opportunity to make someone’s day. 

He threw himself completely into everything he did, from Halloween costumes and Karaoke to gaming and his love for craft beers, he was over the top, whimsical, and engaging.

Doug is survived by his mother Cathy Niehues (Galen) of Rushville and two sisters he loved very much, Debbie Jacobs of Alliance, NE, and Dani Kress (Jake) of Dickinson, ND. 

He also leaves behind two nieces and three nephews that adored him, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who will miss him very much. 

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Ray Ingalsbe.