A Funeral Service for Donna L. (Nitchie) Harmon will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery, at Holdrege, Nebraska.
The funeral service will be live streamed to the First United Methodist Church page.
Donna Le Emma (Nitchie) Harmon, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Donna was born on December 28, 1928, at the family farm, northwest of Wilcox, Nebraska, the eldest of four children, born to Clemens Luther and Lenora Marie (Grote) Bergstrom. She received her primary education from District #15 rural school in Phelps County, Nebraska and then attended and graduated from Wilcox High School with the class of 1946.
Donna met Everett Nitchie, while working as a clerk in Noble Drug Store. On February 14, 1948, Donna was united in marriage to Everett at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska. This union was blessed with four children: Susan Marie, Bryan Everett, Donald Lee, and Teresa Ann. The family made their home on a farm near Wilcox, where they farmed together for over 30 years. Donna worked hard on farm, raising chickens and hogs, milking cows, gardening, and tending to her family. Her kids always felt deeply loved even if they received a little discipline (well deserved) she still told them she loved them. In 1980, they moved to Holdrege and in 1982, Everett preceded her in death.
Donna worked for Wilcox Public School, working as a teachers aid and the kindergarten bus driver. Donna then worked as a Postal Clerk for 24 years in Wilcox, Axtell, and Funk, until her retirement. Through the years, Donna also cleaned houses for numerous families in Wilcox.
On January 25, 1991, she was united in marriage to Lester A. Harmon in Holdrege, who proudly became grandpa to her grandkids and great-grandkids. The couple enjoyed family gatherings, dancing, traveling, camping, fishing, and playing games with other couples. Lester preceded her in death in 2010.
Donna was faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. Most of all, Donna loved music and had a beautiful voice. In her younger years, she enjoyed riding horses and playing the piano. Her love of dancing started when her dad would dance with his daughters in the basement of their home. She met Lester at a dance and they continued to dance until they couldn’t anymore. She also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities and was so very proud of them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; brother, Gayle Bergstrom and his wife, Deanna; her sister, Shirley Hargis; one nephew, Trevor Arnt; brother-in-law, Lawrence Nitchie and his wife, Lucille; and one great-grandson, August Nitchie.
Donna leaves to celebrate her life; her children: Susan Wyatt and her husband, Rich of Lincoln, Nebraska; Bryan Nitchie and his wife, Jean of Holdrege; Don Nitchie and his wife, Pat of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Teresa Struble and her husband, Larry of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nine grandchildren: Jason Nitchie and his wife, Andrea; Amy Donley and her husband, John; Chad Nitchie and his wife, Tricia; Scott Nitchie and his wife, Shana; Megan Jenkins; Andrea Jaros and her husband, Joseph; Ryan Jenkins and his wife, Chelsea; Jesse Struble and his wife, JoAnna; and Erik Nitchie and his special friend, Katie; 22 great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Ron Nitchie and his wife, Lana; brother-in-law, Ken Hargis of Holdrege; sister, Nancy Arnt of Boulder, Colorado; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Memorials are strongly suggested to Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.