Donna was born January 6, 1941, on the Fiscus family homestead north of Bayard, Nebraska, in the Red Willow Community, to Donald L. and Ethel L. (Fiscus) Plock.

She attended elementary school at District 42, Blackstone School, and Rocky Ridge. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1958.

Donna married Ronald (Ronnie) Edward Nelson on January 20, 1959, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Broadwater, NE .To this union three daughters were born: Janelle Ilene, Kellee Kristine, and Alexis Dawn.

They lived on the Nelson family farm until 1978, following Ronnie’s death in a farming accident. Donna and the girls moved to Bridgeport at that time.

Donna attended Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, NE. She also attended Chadron State College in Chadron, where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught school north of Moomaw’s corner, at Degraw, District 8, and in Broadwater.

Donna was the organist at Messiah Lutheran Church in Broadwater for many years.

She also was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Mud Springs Extension Club, Lutheran ChurchWomen,Tole Painters Society, and Nebraska Librarians. Donna had an unending interest in genealogy, tracing the family tree back many generations. She was a member of the Rebecca Winters Genealogy Society and Family Genealogy Society.

Donna was a gifted artist and taught tole painting classes, selling her creations at the flower shop in Bridgeport, which she co-owned. She also played the organ for numerous weddings and funerals and took pride in providing beautiful music for others.

Nebraska football and volleyball were her favorite sports to watch along with the Denver Broncos. She also loved cheering on her grandsons when they participated in high school sports and rodeo.

Being the public librarian at the Bridgeport Public Library for 23 years, Donna was an avid reader and loved books! She gave many book reviews to various groups in the community. She employed many high school students at the library and inspired their love for reading, too.

Donna moved to Skyview Nursing Home in 2015 and resided there until her death.

The family is so appreciative to the staff, who provided such tender and loving care to her for so long.

Donna was proceeded in death by her husband Ronnie, parents Don and Ethel Plock, in-laws Glen and Vivian (Jake) Nelson, brother-in-law Dale Nelson, numerous cousins and beloved life-long friends.

Donna is survived by her daughters, Janelle (Don) Frerichs of Sidney, NE, Kellee Gooder of Chadron, NE, and Alexis (Clint) Sterkel of Bridgeport, NE; grandsons Arthur Frerichs (Trish), Dale Frerichs (Angala), Scott Gooder (Nicole), Andrew Gooder (Brittney), James Gooder, (Alicia Encinas) Casey (Andrea) Sterkel, and Jordan (Chelsea) Sterkel; great-grandchildren Allie, Anderson, Devani, and Emerson Frerichs, Jae, Raimee, Grady, Bensyn,Tristan,Tenley, and Treyson Gooder, Kinsley, Colt, and Lee Sterkel; brother- in-law Kenny (Pat) Nelson, Leania (Kent) Carter, Linda (Pete) Lussetto, and Jackie Lapaseotes; seven nephews and one niece.

A family memorial is established and will be designated at a later date. Memorials can be mailed to: ~Janelle Frerichs, P.O. Box 550, Sidney, NE 69162 ~Kellee Gooder, P.O. Box 1103, Chadron, NE 69337 ~Alexis Sterkel, 10135 Road 104, Bridgeport, NE 69336