Donna Jean Irwin

Funeral Services for Donna Irwin, age 86, of Lincoln and formerly of Ainsworth, will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth with Pastor Lynn Christensen officiating. Graveside services will be at 2 pm on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church in Ainsworth. Donna passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Cedar Creek of High Plains Assisted Living in Lincoln. Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.
Donna Jean Nekolite was born July 15, 1938 to John and Bessie (Keeler) Nekolite in O'Neill, Nebraska. She attended St. Mary's Academy in O'Neill before moving with her mother to Bassett, Nebraska.
Donna met Paul Irwin while roller skating in Long Pine, Nebraska. The couple later married on June 22, 1957 in Pierce, Nebraska. To this union one daughter was born, Paula. Later she became the bookkeeper for Irwin Pontiac, Buick, and GMC. She was also a baker at the Red & White Market. Donna retired in 2015. When Paul got sick with Congestive Heart Failure she became his primary care giver.
She was a member of the Ainsworth VFW, Auxiliary, Zion Lutheran Church, and the Ainsworth City Planning Commission.
Donna enjoyed crocheting, Nebraska Football, and her cats. She enjoyed race cars and had a love for Buicks.
Donna is survived by her daughter, Paula (Todd) Naber of Sioux Falls; two grandchildren, Trista (Richard) Kramer of Lincoln, Taylor (Amanda Wilson) Naber of Parkston, South Dakota; four great grandchildren, Mackenzie Kramer, Colby Kramer, Karlyn Kramer, Rhys Kramer; one sister-in-law, Vernona Nekolite of O'Neill; many nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, John, and Bessie Nekolite; her husband, Paul Irwin in 2017; two brothers, David (Cheryl) Nekolite, Danny Nekolite; and her favorite cat, Buttons.