Devoted wife, proud mother, and beloved teacher, Donna Kay (Schluckebier) Whitney, age 32, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Regional West Medical Center, following a sudden illness. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 12, 2024, at Calvary Memorial Church in Gering, Nebraska with Pastor Gary Hashley officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Private inurnment will take place at East Lawn Cemetery near Minatare, Nebraska. A memorial fund has been established at Platte Valley Bank. Checks may be made payable to Shane Whitney. Condolences may be expressed by visiting Donna’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com where her service will be live-streamed.
Donna was born on March 21, 1992, to Charlie and Evelyn (Lines) Schluckebier. She grew up outside of Palisade, Nebraska with her brother, Danny, beloved dog, Max, and many other critters. She and her family were active in the community and in the Palisade Methodist Church. She was involved with many extracurricular activities and graduated from Wauneta-Palisade High School in 2010. Donna started college that fall as an honor student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney where she majored in elementary education and made friends with everyone she met. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when she was eighteen and became active in raising awareness and funds for research. Donna graduated college early in December of 2013 and took a temporary teaching job in the dead of winter in Healy, Alaska. She loved that adventure and loved Alaska. She then came home to Nebraska and began teaching second grade in Sidney. Donna was passionate about teaching and working with kids, so much so, that she decided to become a foster parent for a brief time. Donna obtained a master’s in education in 2020.
She met her husband, Shane, and they were married in May of 2022. She was thrilled to have found such a good match in Shane. She continued to teach elementary school in Gering. Donna and Shane welcomed their beautiful daughter, Evelyn, into the world in December of 2022. Evelyn was the light of Donna’s life, and she was made to be a mother. She was so excited to find out she was pregnant with another little girl in the spring of 2024.
Donna was determined to live life to the fullest and did just that. She and Shane had a farm with many different types of animals, and she enjoyed caring for all of them. She never said no to a stray dog or a snake on the side of the road. Donna liked country music and even named one of her pick-ups, “Phil Vassar”. She truly did light up any room she walked into, her sense of humor was unmatched and could brighten anyone’s day. No matter what she had going on she would make time for people if they needed it. Her absence will be mourned by many. She loved Jesus and his people.
Survivors include her husband, Shane Whitney; daughter, Evelyn Whitney; father, Charlie Schluckebier; brother, Danny (Desi) Schluckebier; mother-in-law, Rhonda Whitney; father-in-law, Wayne Whitney; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Roland (Krissy) Whitney, Wes (Cheri) Whitney, Renee Whitney and Ross (Danielle) Whitney; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, former students, and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her amazing mother, Evelyn; and brother, Paul. Her anxiously awaited second daughter accompanied Mommy to Heaven.