Donna Thayer

Donna Thayer

Nov. 2, 1923 - Dec. 7, 2012

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Donna Thayer, 89, of Alma, Nebraska, formerly of Arapahoe and Hendley, Nebraska, died Friday (Dec. 7, 2012), at Colonial Villa-Good Samaritan Society of Alma.

She was born on Nov. 2, 1923, at Yakima, Washington, to Dorris (Anderson) Neubert.

She grew up near Tieton, Washington and graduated from Tieton High School in 1942. In 1947, she graduated from Central Washington College in Ellensburg, Washington, and then was hired to teach junior high social studies. She married John Robert Thayer on April 3, 1949. In 1952, they moved to Nebraska to farm near Beaver City. In 1959, they moved back to the family farm near Hendley. In 1964, Donna began teaching fifth grade in Wilsonville, Nebraska.

She was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a census taker for the 1980, 1990, and 2000 census.

After her husband's death in 1993, she continued to manage the farm until 2000. She sold the farm and moved to Arapahoe. In 2011, Donna moved to Hillcrest Terrace in Alma.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Herman Neubert, and husband, Bob.

She is survived by daughters Debra Lynn Moore of Holdrege, Nebraska, Karen Rae Montoya (John) of Hutchinson, Kansas, Tammy Kay Dodge (Brian) of Worthington, Massachusetts, Linda Marie Dunlay (James) of Orleans, Nebraska; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at 1 p.m.at the First United Methodist Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, with Rev. Michael Flury officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Beaver City, Nebraska.

Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe, Nebraska; the casket will be closed.

Condolences and personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.