Donna R. Elder was born April 27, 1934, to Thomas and Ruby (Smith) Mills in Kensington, KS. She attended all grades of school in Kensington and graduated in 1952. In July 1953, she married Gilbert Elder in Englewood, CO. To this union 2 daughters were born, RaeJean (1956) and Gaylene (1959). In 1958, they made their home in Scottsbluff, NE. Gilbert and Donna later divorced.
In 1968, Donna began her career as a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s Hospital. In 1972, she graduated with the first LPN Class at NWC. She continued working for 32 years at St. Mary’s and later RWMC. She retired in 1999 and began respite care and was a foster Grandma at Roosevelt Elementary. She taught Sunday School and helped with the Awana program at Gering Zion Church for many years.
Survivors include daughters RaeJean Zollitsch of Conway, SC, Gaylene (Bob) French of Minatare, NE; grandchildren Robert (Kelli) French of Lyman, NE, Becca (Max) Bradford of Bayard, NE; 5 great-grandchildren; sister Fran (Sam) Kirby of Loveland, CO; brother, Alan (Gina) Mills of Goodland, KS; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Mills of Alma, NE.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister; Brothers Gary and Dale; infant granddaughter, a niece and a nephew.
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