Donna was born in Clearwater, NE to John Lessly and Nina Viola (Lee) Damme. She grew up in Clearwater and graduated from Clearwater High School with the class of 1958. She earned her teaching degree at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. For 11 years she taught school in several rural schools and one year in Clearwater. She was loved by her former students who always made a point to talk to her when she saw them.
On July 1, 1961, she married Terry Peterson at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, NE. Years later, her two daughters would also marry in that same church. Terry and Donna lived in Clearwater for 4 years before moving to their farm Northeast of Neligh where they raised their four children; Lisa, Sonya, Scott, & Travis.
After teaching, and then staying home with her children and helping with their custom farming operation, Donna took a job at Neligh Insurance and Reality where she worked for many years. Donna was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ at Neligh where she served several terms on the Deaconate Board and was member of the women's fellowship. She was a long time member of the women's bowling association and the Neligh Oakdale High School Booster Club. Donna loved country music concerts and attending all the activities her kids where a part of, as well as traveling many miles to watch her grandchildren play sports and other actives. Donna was so kind, and was always concerned for others. She was a faithful card mailer for any occasion and was the first one at your house if you had fallen on hard times. We all loved her giving heart. Donna had many friends in the Neligh, Clearwater, and Elgin areas. She enjoyed her morning coffee with "the girls" at the Neligh café for breakfast.
In 2012 while on vacation in Texas, Donna suffered a traumatic brain bleed. The Doctors gave her a 1% chance of surviving the operation. Terry assured his kids that he would be bringing her home, and after 71 days in the hospital in Texas and 3 weeks at Madonna rehab hospital in Lincoln he did just that. The next 9 years were a gift and we never took them for granted. Roles were reversed but Terry took amazing care of Donna, and his children are forever grateful for following the vows he took 59 years before. He loved and cherished our mom through sickness and health until her last day.
Donna’s greatest love was spending time with her family, and in July 2020 they all celebrated her 80th birthday in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The family spent 3 wonderful days telling stories, laughing, and enjoying great meals. Donna had fun watching all the grandkids and great grandkids and had some very in-depth conversations and giggle sessions with baby Willa.
Preceded by:
Parents: Les & Nina
Sister: Shirley Stelling
Granddaughter: Paige Leslie Schultz
Parents-in-law: Harold & Margaret (Detlefsen) Peterson
Sister-in-laws: Marie Damme, Ellen Heermann, Sharron Mickelson, Jeanette Hansen and Jeanette Peterson
Brother-in-laws: Jack Kallhoff, Ron Peterson, Darryl Peterson, Lee Peterson, Lynn Peterson, Barry Peterson and Dean Peterson
Many relatives that she loved so much.
Survived by:
Husband of 59 years: Terry Peterson
Daughters: Lisa (Tom) Chohon and Sonya (Ted) Schultz
Sons: Scott and Travis (Kara)
Grandchildren: Clay, Hayes, Shelby, Carson, Kyle, Tyson, Reid, Gunner, Keller, Caid & Brynn
Great-grandchildren: Kaysen, Tate, Willa, Addison and baby Peterson due early 2021
Brother: John Damme
Sister: Bonnie
Brother-in-laws: Arnold Stelling, Allen (Gisela) Peterson and Loren Hansen
Sister-in-laws: Louise Peterson, RaeJeane Peterson and Ida Peterson
Many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends
Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home
Sept 2020
On July 1, 1961, she married Terry Peterson at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, NE. Years later, her two daughters would also marry in that same church. Terry and Donna lived in Clearwater for 4 years before moving to their farm Northeast of Neligh where they raised their four children; Lisa, Sonya, Scott, & Travis.
After teaching, and then staying home with her children and helping with their custom farming operation, Donna took a job at Neligh Insurance and Reality where she worked for many years. Donna was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ at Neligh where she served several terms on the Deaconate Board and was member of the women's fellowship. She was a long time member of the women's bowling association and the Neligh Oakdale High School Booster Club. Donna loved country music concerts and attending all the activities her kids where a part of, as well as traveling many miles to watch her grandchildren play sports and other actives. Donna was so kind, and was always concerned for others. She was a faithful card mailer for any occasion and was the first one at your house if you had fallen on hard times. We all loved her giving heart. Donna had many friends in the Neligh, Clearwater, and Elgin areas. She enjoyed her morning coffee with "the girls" at the Neligh café for breakfast.
In 2012 while on vacation in Texas, Donna suffered a traumatic brain bleed. The Doctors gave her a 1% chance of surviving the operation. Terry assured his kids that he would be bringing her home, and after 71 days in the hospital in Texas and 3 weeks at Madonna rehab hospital in Lincoln he did just that. The next 9 years were a gift and we never took them for granted. Roles were reversed but Terry took amazing care of Donna, and his children are forever grateful for following the vows he took 59 years before. He loved and cherished our mom through sickness and health until her last day.
Donna’s greatest love was spending time with her family, and in July 2020 they all celebrated her 80th birthday in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The family spent 3 wonderful days telling stories, laughing, and enjoying great meals. Donna had fun watching all the grandkids and great grandkids and had some very in-depth conversations and giggle sessions with baby Willa.
Preceded by:
Parents: Les & Nina
Sister: Shirley Stelling
Granddaughter: Paige Leslie Schultz
Parents-in-law: Harold & Margaret (Detlefsen) Peterson
Sister-in-laws: Marie Damme, Ellen Heermann, Sharron Mickelson, Jeanette Hansen and Jeanette Peterson
Brother-in-laws: Jack Kallhoff, Ron Peterson, Darryl Peterson, Lee Peterson, Lynn Peterson, Barry Peterson and Dean Peterson
Many relatives that she loved so much.
Survived by:
Husband of 59 years: Terry Peterson
Daughters: Lisa (Tom) Chohon and Sonya (Ted) Schultz
Sons: Scott and Travis (Kara)
Grandchildren: Clay, Hayes, Shelby, Carson, Kyle, Tyson, Reid, Gunner, Keller, Caid & Brynn
Great-grandchildren: Kaysen, Tate, Willa, Addison and baby Peterson due early 2021
Brother: John Damme
Sister: Bonnie
Brother-in-laws: Arnold Stelling, Allen (Gisela) Peterson and Loren Hansen
Sister-in-laws: Louise Peterson, RaeJeane Peterson and Ida Peterson
Many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends
Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home
Sept 2020
Donna was born in Clearwater, NE to John Lessly and Nina Viola (Lee) Damme. She grew up in Clearwater and graduated from Clearwater High School with the class of 1958. She earned her teaching degree at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. For 11 years she taught school in several rural schools and one year in Clearwater. She was loved by her former students who always made a point to talk to her when she saw them.
On July 1, 1961, she married Terry Peterson at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, NE. Years later, her two daughters would also marry in that same church. Terry and Donna lived in Clearwater for 4 years before moving to their farm Northeast of Neligh where they raised their four children; Lisa, Sonya, Scott, & Travis.
After teaching, and then staying home with her children and helping with their custom farming operation, Donna took a job at Neligh Insurance and Reality where she worked for many years. Donna was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ at Neligh where she served several terms on the Deaconate Board and was member of the women's fellowship. She was a long time member of the women's bowling association and the Neligh Oakdale High School Booster Club. Donna loved country music concerts and attending all the activities her kids where a part of, as well as traveling many miles to watch her grandchildren play sports and other actives. Donna was so kind, and was always concerned for others. She was a faithful card mailer for any occasion and was the first one at your house if you had fallen on hard times. We all loved her giving heart. Donna had many friends in the Neligh, Clearwater, and Elgin areas. She enjoyed her morning coffee with "the girls" at the Neligh café for breakfast.
In 2012 while on vacation in Texas, Donna suffered a traumatic brain bleed. The Doctors gave her a 1% chance of surviving the operation. Terry assured his kids that he would be bringing her home, and after 71 days in the hospital in Texas and 3 weeks at Madonna rehab hospital in Lincoln he did just that. The next 9 years were a gift and we never took them for granted. Roles were reversed but Terry took amazing care of Donna, and his children are forever grateful for following the vows he took 59 years before. He loved and cherished our mom through sickness and health until her last day.
Donna’s greatest love was spending time with her family, and in July 2020 they all celebrated her 80th birthday in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The family spent 3 wonderful days telling stories, laughing, and enjoying great meals. Donna had fun watching all the grandkids and great grandkids and had some very in-depth conversations and giggle sessions with baby Willa.
Preceded by:
Parents: Les & Nina
Sister: Shirley Stelling
Granddaughter: Paige Leslie Schultz
Parents-in-law: Harold & Margaret (Detlefsen) Peterson
Sister-in-laws: Marie Damme, Ellen Heermann, Sharron Mickelson, Jeanette Hansen and Jeanette Peterson
Brother-in-laws: Jack Kallhoff, Ron Peterson, Darryl Peterson, Lee Peterson, Lynn Peterson, Barry Peterson and Dean Peterson
Many relatives that she loved so much.
Survived by:
Husband of 59 years: Terry Peterson
Daughters: Lisa (Tom) Chohon and Sonya (Ted) Schultz
Sons: Scott and Travis (Kara)
Grandchildren: Clay, Hayes, Shelby, Carson, Kyle, Tyson, Reid, Gunner, Keller, Caid & Brynn
Great-grandchildren: Kaysen, Tate, Willa, Addison and baby Peterson due early 2021
Brother: John Damme
Sister: Bonnie
Brother-in-laws: Arnold Stelling, Allen (Gisela) Peterson and Loren Hansen
Sister-in-laws: Louise Peterson, RaeJeane Peterson and Ida Peterson
Many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends
Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home
Sept 2020
On July 1, 1961, she married Terry Peterson at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Neligh, NE. Years later, her two daughters would also marry in that same church. Terry and Donna lived in Clearwater for 4 years before moving to their farm Northeast of Neligh where they raised their four children; Lisa, Sonya, Scott, & Travis.
After teaching, and then staying home with her children and helping with their custom farming operation, Donna took a job at Neligh Insurance and Reality where she worked for many years. Donna was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ at Neligh where she served several terms on the Deaconate Board and was member of the women's fellowship. She was a long time member of the women's bowling association and the Neligh Oakdale High School Booster Club. Donna loved country music concerts and attending all the activities her kids where a part of, as well as traveling many miles to watch her grandchildren play sports and other actives. Donna was so kind, and was always concerned for others. She was a faithful card mailer for any occasion and was the first one at your house if you had fallen on hard times. We all loved her giving heart. Donna had many friends in the Neligh, Clearwater, and Elgin areas. She enjoyed her morning coffee with "the girls" at the Neligh café for breakfast.
In 2012 while on vacation in Texas, Donna suffered a traumatic brain bleed. The Doctors gave her a 1% chance of surviving the operation. Terry assured his kids that he would be bringing her home, and after 71 days in the hospital in Texas and 3 weeks at Madonna rehab hospital in Lincoln he did just that. The next 9 years were a gift and we never took them for granted. Roles were reversed but Terry took amazing care of Donna, and his children are forever grateful for following the vows he took 59 years before. He loved and cherished our mom through sickness and health until her last day.
Donna’s greatest love was spending time with her family, and in July 2020 they all celebrated her 80th birthday in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The family spent 3 wonderful days telling stories, laughing, and enjoying great meals. Donna had fun watching all the grandkids and great grandkids and had some very in-depth conversations and giggle sessions with baby Willa.
Preceded by:
Parents: Les & Nina
Sister: Shirley Stelling
Granddaughter: Paige Leslie Schultz
Parents-in-law: Harold & Margaret (Detlefsen) Peterson
Sister-in-laws: Marie Damme, Ellen Heermann, Sharron Mickelson, Jeanette Hansen and Jeanette Peterson
Brother-in-laws: Jack Kallhoff, Ron Peterson, Darryl Peterson, Lee Peterson, Lynn Peterson, Barry Peterson and Dean Peterson
Many relatives that she loved so much.
Survived by:
Husband of 59 years: Terry Peterson
Daughters: Lisa (Tom) Chohon and Sonya (Ted) Schultz
Sons: Scott and Travis (Kara)
Grandchildren: Clay, Hayes, Shelby, Carson, Kyle, Tyson, Reid, Gunner, Keller, Caid & Brynn
Great-grandchildren: Kaysen, Tate, Willa, Addison and baby Peterson due early 2021
Brother: John Damme
Sister: Bonnie
Brother-in-laws: Arnold Stelling, Allen (Gisela) Peterson and Loren Hansen
Sister-in-laws: Louise Peterson, RaeJeane Peterson and Ida Peterson
Many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends
Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home
Sept 2020
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