Donna Gonnerman
Donna Jean (Farley) Gonnerman passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 28, 2024 in Lincoln at the age of 89.
Donna Jean (Farley) Gonnerman was born on November 16, 1934 in Polk County to Floyd and Nora (Lasuer) Farley. She was baptized in a little country church (Wayland) on June 6, 1937. She attended Crestwelll country school in York County through the 8th grade, going on to graduate from Benedict High in 1952.
After graduation Donna lived in Seward and was employed as a nurse's aide at the Seward hospital.
In May of 1954 Donna married Eugene (Smokey) Gonnerman upon his discharge from the army. They met when she was 16 years old and their courtship was via letters to and from Korea. To this union four children were born.
They lived in the Benedict area on a farm before moving to Gresham in the late 70's, later living in Imperial for 15 years. She and Smokey finally settled on an acreage west of York.
Throughout her life Donna did a variety of things including driving a school bus for nine years, driving a semi for over 35 years and was an assistant office manager for an income tax firm for 10 years.
Her family always came first. Her love of the outdoors was evident in her garden, flower beds, lawn and horses.
Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Roxanne Beck of Osceola, Jeannie (Pete) Walbrecht and husband Marvin of York, Julie Salsman and husband Ron of York and a son, Scott Gonnerman and wife Barb of Waco; five grandchildren; one step-grandson; one step-granddaughter; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Allan (Dorothy) Farley of Thayer and sister-in-law, Elaine Gonnerman of Wahoo.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Shirley Brigham and Betty Newlon; brother, Ron Farley; sister-in-law, Marilyn Loontjer and brother-in-law, Roger Gonnerman.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Gresham. Inurnment will follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Gresham. Donna has been cremated. There will be no viewing, however a visitation and signing of her book will be held on Friday from 1-8 p.m. at the mortuary. Memorials may be sent to her family for later designation. Condolences may be left for her family at metzmortuary.com . Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.
