Douglas Orville Wielage, age 77, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at his home in Crete, Nebraska. Doug was born on June 10, 1945, in Crete, the son of Orville W. and Ruth M. Wielage.  He graduated from Crete High School and began his career working for the family farm equipment dealership while still a teen.  Although the farm equipment business made for many long hours during planting and harvest seasons, Doug also worked nights and weekends at Lincoln Aviation, handling desk duties and fulfilling his love of all things airplane.  In his younger days, Doug obtained his private pilot's license.  He always enjoyed sharing his vast aviation knowledge and attending local air shows.  In more recent years, monthly luncheons with his friends and colleagues from the Lincoln airport were always on his calendar.  Upon his retirement from Wielage Farm Equipment in the 1990s, he worked part-time in the auto parts industry, sharing his mechanical expertise and often diagnosing customers' needs by phone (without seeing or hearing their vehicle, Doug usually knew the issue and could recommend the parts or repairs customers needed).  When not working, Doug spent time co-leading a local Cub Scout Pack and for several years, he and son, Scott, won awards for the best Pinewood Derby cars, both for design and speed.  In fact, on more than one occasion the judges asked to drill into the cars (they looked so professional) to ensure they were truly made of the wood block and not some sort of composite or resin material.  He also participated in Crete Sertoma and was proud to participate in their service projects including building playground equipment for the local elementary school.  Although he worked more than full-time for many years, Doug's proudest accomplishments were always his children, Scott and Stephanie.  They survive as does his wife of 53 years, Mary.  Doug and Mary met at a University of Nebraska-Lincoln street dance when Mary was a student there.  They married in 1969 and lived in Lincoln for a few years, followed by decades at their home in Crete.  Additional survivors include daughter-in-law, Kelly (Scott), son-in-law, Dan (Stephanie), grandchildren Trenton, Trace and Wyatt Wielage, as well as Sienna Cox, all of Olathe, KS; sister Jo Jayne Wielage of Lincoln, brother and sister-in-law, Gregg Wielage and Patti Wieser of LaJolla, California, many extended family including cousins, nieces and nephew; beloved yellow lab, Buddy. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dianne of Crete, brother-in-law, Lloyd Cole and mother-in-law, Blanche Cole, both of Lincoln. Private family services will be held.  Memorials to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete to be shared with the family for future designation. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.