Donna Jean Nelson

Donna J. (Lemon) Nelson died Saturday, May 27, 2017. Donna was born March 1, 1928, on the family farm, near Greenwood, Nebraska, to Angeline L. and Francis C. Lemon. Donna graduated from Ashland High School and played volleyball and basketball. During WWII, she worked in an airplane factory in Omaha, molding self-sealing fuel tanks for airplanes. She attended 2 years at the University of Nebraska. Donna worked at the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics for 3 years, then as receptionist for 4 Nebraska Governors: Govs. Peterson, Crosby, Anderson, and Burney, and finally part time in bookkeeping at the Crosby Guenzel Kessner & Kuester law firm. After dating for 7 years, Donna married Norman P. Nelson on March 16, 1958. Donna is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Jodi Nelson, daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Rick Peters, grandchildren Katie Klug and her husband Jordan, Nick Nelson, Melissa Nelson, Shawn Jewell, Connor Jewell, Emma Peters, and Chloe Peters, great grandson Jude Nelson, great granddaughter Leighton Klug, and sisters-in-law Lois Willoughby, Jan Lemon, and Jerry Lemon, along with many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by Norman P. Nelson. Donna had a great sense of humor and fried the best chicken. She enjoyed helping others and loved all of her family very much. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, and held at First Presbyterian Church, 840 South 17th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, June 7, at 11 a.m., followed by a light lunch. Graveside services will be held at the Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, Nebraska, afterwards. Memorials may be sent to: Mosaic, National Supports Office, 4980 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68137. Mosaic is a faith-based organization serving more than 3,700 people with intellectual disabilities in 36 agencies located in 10 states. Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life.