Donna Stedman Nelson February 3, 1933 ~ August 13, 2011
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
 Donna Nelson, 78, longtime Ogallala resident, died Saturday, August 13, 2011 in Good Samaritan Nursing Home of Alliance, Nebr. 

Donna was born February 3, 1933 in Ogallala, the daughter of Byon and Una May Crawford Stedman. She received her early education in Lexington and Ogallala, graduating from Ogallala High School in 1950. Donna attended Omaha Bible Institute for a semester.

On December 6, 1953 Donna married Ray Nelson. They resided in the Ogallala area and raised their eight children. Donna was employed at several local businesses including TRW, Goodalls, Cassell's Restaurant, Stagecoach Inn and I-80 Inn. The majority of her married life Donna also was the bookkeeper for Western Nebraska Marketing.

Donna enjoyed teaching Sunday School, serving in the ladies group and sharing her love of Jesus with friends and family. She participated in the Gideon Bible Society, was active in the RSVP and Heartland Shares. She especially loved time spent with the M & M Extension Club. She also enjoyed canning garden products and sharing them with family. Spending coffee time with family and friends was the highlight of Donna's recent years. Donna attended New Hope Church.  

Preceding her in death were her parents, and siblings: Jack Stedman, Jean Parks, Gordon Stedman, and great-grandchildren Austin Dean, Jeffrey and Nicholas Taylor, Brennan Taylor, Xander Dean, and Reid and Karling Nelson.  

Survivors include her husband Ray Nelson of Ogallala; five sons: Steve (Carol) Nelson of Ogallala, Mark (Julie) Nelson of Hershey, Tim (Deb) Nelson of Pamona, KS, Jeff (Sheri) Nelson of North Platte, and Joel (Angie) Nelson of Gordon.

Three daughters: Linda (Randy) Dean of Alliance, Penny Nelson of Pamona, KS, and Valerie (Wayne) Vanderschaaf of Alliance. Two sisters: Mary Ann Crawford of Sidney and Gail Stark of Cozad. A brother: Bob (Sheila) Stedman of Arizona.

Seventeen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be Monday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the New Hope Church on East "O" Street. The Rev. Eric Wait and Pastor Duane Dunwoody will officiate.

A memorial has been established to the Gideons International. Interment is in the Ogallala Cemetery. On-line condolences may be sent by clicking here. 

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.