Donna Lucille Johnson was born to John and Louise (Vetter) Payzant on October 29, 1922 at Schuyler, Nebraska. She departed this life on Saturday, July 6,2019 at the Harvard Rest Haven in Harvard, Nebraska at the age of 96 years, 8 months and 7 days.

She graduated from Schuyler High School and taught two years in a rural school having completed Normal Training in high school. She attended Midland College and taught in Fremont several years before her marriage to Howard Johnson on November 30, 1946 in the Purple Cane Methodist Church near Rogers, Nebraska. A daughter, Nadine, was born in 1955. 

They farmed in the Blue Hill area for 35 years until retiring in Hastings in 1980.

Donna had been active with youth in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for 20 years in the Cowles United Methodist Church as well as United Methodist Women. In 1981, after their move to Hastings their membership was transferred to First United Methodist where they served in various capacities. Donna had worked in 4-H, Extension work, YWCA and Christian Womens Club. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, cooking, visiting and letter writing.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nadine, on March 22, 1975; her husband, Howard, on March 5, 2008; her parents and her sister, Marian Bowman.

Surviving are her brother-in-law, Jim Bowman of Arizona; five nieces, Karen Lalone, Nancy Dimson, Sonja Shephard, Diane Reilly Cooper and husband, Goff, and Colene Brown and husband, Gus; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11:00 a.m., July 13, 2019 at the Williams Funeral Home with the Rev. Warren Schoming officiating. Interment will be at the Red Cloud Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Willa Cather Foundation.

Source: https://www.wmsfh.com/notices/Donna-Johnson