Donna Talbot

Donna Lynn Talbot, age 70 of Hay Springs, NE, passed peacefully away on April 7, 2025, after a lunch fit for a queen of lobster tail and her Dairy Queen twist cone before leaving town.

Donna was born on August 14, 1954, in Rushville, Nebraska, to Marvie James “Jim” and Margaret Ellen (Brownlow) Talbot.

Donna graduated from Rushville High School in 1972. She then attended Oglala Lakota College for a year but had to stop after having back issues which required surgery, and never returned.

She worked for the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department for over 40 years, doing countless midnight to 8 a.m. shifts for the department, serving her community by working alongside law enforcement and emergency services.

In 1988, she started helping her father take care of the cows, pastures, and cropland, on their home place. Donna accumulated a herd of her own and had her own brand that previously belonged to her paternal grandparents. When her father passed away, Donna took over the complete management of the farm/ranch. Donna was best in the managerial position and “enlisted” the nieces and nephews to help, on rotation, with chores and maintenance that she didn’t really want to tackle herself, but had to be done. The stories of days spent with Donna during these rotations fill us with both laughter and tears. Her method of instruction came from a place of love, even if it didn’t feel that way at the time. She continued at the place North of Rushville, living with her mother, until her mom’s passing in 2012. She later moved to Hay Springs in 2018 where she was cared for by family until her death.

Donna was baptized by her choice, on September 7th, 1975, in the Whiteclay Creek on the Hotz place.

Donna expressed herself in her younger years by putting her feelings on paper and was the author of many poems.

If you ever went to visit Donna, you could guarantee she would be watching Fox News, a rodeo, or the in-home shopping convenience of QVC. A rep from the channel has already called to check on her.

Donna was always there to listen and give her support and wisdom in any situation or scenario. She worried about everyone and had a fierce love of family and was as sentimental as they came.

Donna is survived by her sister Cathy Anderson, sister Linda (Ron) Dixon, sister Lila (Jerry) Lyon Matula, sister Jamie (Chris) Bell and many cousins. Although she didn’t have any children of her own, she is survived by the children of her heart as she helped raise and spoil many nieces and nephews throughout her life.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, nephew John Kozal, brother-in-law David Lyon and Paul Anderson, and great niece Angel Lyon.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the New Christian Church in Rushville at 2 pm. Burial will take place after the service in Whiteclay at Extension Cemetery. Fellowship/food will follow the burial at New Christian Church. A viewing will be held from 5-7 pm Sunday evening.

A memorial has been established for the Hay Springs Fire & Ambulance Service. Memorials can be taken to Security First Bank or mailed to PO Box 376, Hay Springs, NE 69347.