Biography of Donna Hawley

Donna LaRae Hawley, the daughter of Frank and Stella (Bartman) Matzner, was born on June 1, 1934 in Kearney, Nebraska. She passed away on September 25, 2024 at the Brodstone Healthcare at Superior, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 3 months, 24 days.

She grew up in Kearney. The family later moved to Gibbon, Nebraska. In 1952, she graduated from Gibbon High School. After graduation she moved to Kearney, working at Baldwin Manufacturing and also the World Theatre. While working at the movie theatre, she met a special guy. His name was Chet Hawley, a college student. In October 1955, they married and had four children, 3 daughters and a son. The family lived in several Nebraska places as Chet was an Agriculture Extension Educator (County Agent) for UNL. In 1978, the family moved to Nuckolls County living in Nelson, where Chet became the County Agent. He retired in 1993 and passed away in 1997.

Donna enjoyed many things, especially attending her children and grandchildren's activities, and special times. She was a Sunday School teacher, a cub scout den mother, a 25 year 4-H Leader, and an avid Husker football fan. She belonged to several organizations over the years. Reading and working puzzles were her favorite pastimes. She liked crossword puzzles and any others that challenged her mind. She volunteered at the hospital thrift shop for over 25 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step father Elmer Kleinkauf, husband Chet on July 7, 1997, sister Norma Yonker, step brother Jack Kleinkauf, step sister Jane Tidwell and two nephews.

She is survived by her children, Karlene (Jerome) Hallgren of Williston, North Dakota; Staci Hawley-Dodd of Holdrege, Nebraska; Amy (J.C.) Ourada of Elm Creek, Nebraska; and Lane (Anna) Hawley of Superior, Nebraska; her brother Alan (Esther) Kleinkauf of Boise, Idaho: 10 grandchildren: Elizabeth Humenyik, Kyle Hallgren, Sara Falley, Tyler Culbertson, Andrew Lanham, Eli Ourada, Azia Ourada, Nicholas Hawley, Alison Brittenham, and Jacob Hawley;  13 great grandchildren: Brandon Greenwell, Leah & Holden Humenyik, Taryn & Mya Hallgren, Brett & Stella Culbertson, Jack Falley, Carson & Justice Lanham, Noah & Jonah Brittenham and Penelope Hawley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior, Nebraska

Time of Service: Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:00 am

Clergy: Father John Birkel

Burial: Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska

Memorials to: Brodstone Healthcare or in care of the family

Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900