Donna Jean (Coots) Schmidt of Grand Island left this earth at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at home in her childhood bed. She was 80 years old.
A graveside service with burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Island (Southside). The Rev. John Hayes will officiate.
Visitation and viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the cemetery prior to Donna's service. All are invited. All Faiths Funeral Home is serving the family.
Donna was born Aug. 15, 1936, in Lincoln, the daughter of William and Evelyn (Hitchcock) Coots. She was raised by her grandparents, Dewey and Iva Coots. Donna grew up in Lincoln, graduating from Lincoln High School, Class of 1955. She then attended St. Paul's Minnesota Bible Institute for a year.
Through the years Donna's favorite jobs were her first at Back to the Bible and her last before retirement as executive secretary for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company Inc. in California. Upon her retirement, she returned to Nebraska in 1991. After retirement, Donna worked for several retail establishments and her final position was held at Walmart North of Grand Island. She was married to Norman Schmidt in 1996.
Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. Music was an important part of Donna's life. She taught many piano students, was music director and pianist at her churches, and volunteered playing the piano in the Alzheimer's unit at Grand Island Nebraska Veterans Home. She was a Sunday school teacher and youth director for many years at many churches. Most recently, she was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Donna was an avid gardener ... she loved roses. She loved to dance. She loved to read and share her books with everyone! Donna loved to cook for her family and others. She was a mentor and wise counsel for many. Her work ethic was impeccable.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband; children, Ann Weisenburger (Robert Yeager, Sr) of Corpus Christi, Texas, David (Donna) Murray of Grand Island, Lynn and (Woody) Widdifield of Grand Island, Jeanne (Paul) Allen of Grand Island, Karen Murray of Colorado, Daniel Flint (Jeannette Gunderson) of Maryland, and Nancy (Chris) Mayes of Colorado; a half brother and a half sister, Carol Coots of New Jersey; 18 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Jeff (Brenda) Schmidt of Lincoln and Scott (Sheryl) Schmidt of Beatrice. Donna was truly loved by many, including an extended family of friends and caregivers. She will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister, Deedee Schmidt; grandson, Justin David Murray Allen; and Aunt Deloris Severin