Donna Irwin, 86

was

1938, in Donna Jean Nekolite was born July 15, 1938, to John and Bessie (Keeler) Nekolite in O’Neil. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill before moving with her mother to Bassett.

Donna met Paul Irwin while roller skating in Long Pine. The couple later married on June 22, 1957 in Pierce. To this union one daughter was born, Paula. Later she became the bookkeeper for Irwin Pontiac, Buick, and GMC. She was also a baker at the Red & White Market. Donna retired in 2015. When Paul got sick with congestive heart failure, she became his primary care giver.

She w as a m ember o f the A insworth VFW, A uxiliary, Z ion L utheran Church, and the Ainsworth City Planning Commission.

Donna enjoyed crocheting, Nebraska Football, and her cats. She enjoyed race cars and had a love for Buicks.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Paula (Todd) Naber of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two grandchildren, Trista (Richard) Kramer of Lincoln, Taylor (Amanda W ilson) N aber o f Parkston, S .D.; f our great g randchildren, Mackenzie Kramer, Colby Kramer, Karlyn Kramer, Rhys Kramer; one sister-in-law, Vernona Nekolite of O’Neill; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, John, and Bessie Nekolite; her husband, Paul Irwin in 2017; two brothers, David (Cheryl) Nekolite, Danny Nekolite; and her favorite cat, Buttons.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth with Pastor Lynn Christensen officiating.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the O’Neill Cemetery. D onna p assed away on M onday, A pril 2 8, 2 025 a t C edar Creek of H igh P lains A ssisted L iving in L incoln. M emorials m ay b e directed to her family for future designation. Arrangements were entrusted to Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.

Donna Jean born July 15, to John and Bessie (Keeler) Nekolite O’Neill. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill before moving with her mother to Bassett.

Donna met Paul Irwin while roller skating in Long Pine. The couple later married on June 22, 1957, in Pierce. To this union one daughter was born, Paula. Later she became the bookkeeper for Irwin Pontiac, Buick, and GMC. She was also a baker at the Red & White Market. Donna retired in 2015. When Paul got sick with congestive heart failure, she became his primary care giver.

She was a member of the Ainsworth VFW, Auxiliary, Zion Lutheran Church, and the Ainsworth City Planning Commission.

Donna enjoyed crocheting, Nebraska football, and her cats. She enjoyed race cars and had a love for Buicks.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Paula (Todd) Naber of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two grandchildren, Trista (Richard) Kramer of Lincoln, Taylor (Amanda Wilson) Naber of Parkston, S.D.; four great grandchildren, Mackenzie Kramer, Colby Kramer, Karlyn Kramer, Rhys Kramer; one sister-in-law, Vernona Nekolite of O’Neill; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, John, and Bessie Nekolite; her husband, Paul Irwin in 2017; two brothers, David (Cheryl) Nekolite, Danny Nekolite; and her favorite cat, Buttons.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth with Pastor Lynn Christensen officiating. Graveside services were held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the O’Neill Cemetery. Donna passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Cedar Creek of High Plains Assisted Living in Lincoln. Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation. Arrangements were entrusted to Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date for Phyllis E. Skillman, 92, of Ainsworth. Phyllis Skillman died Thursday, May 8, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney.

Survivors include daughters Barbara (Doug) Kloepping of Lexington, (Jerry) Funk of Ainsworth, and Brandi (Scott) Pirnie of step-daughter Katherine (Vernon) Counts of Cozad; stepson-