Donna (Sparks) James, 84, of Columbus, Nebraska died on Friday, September 27th, 2024. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date in Bloomington, Nebraska.

Donna, an only child, was the daughter of Hillman Taft Sparks and his wife, Marjorie Dorothea (Decker) Sparks Eldred. Her grandfather, Dr. Martin Lantford Sparks, was in attendance at her birth on December 27, 1939, which took place in his home in Bloomington, Nebraska.

Except for short periods in California and Arkansas, Donna lived in Bloomington until graduating from Bloomington High School in 1957. She then moved to Denver, Colorado, where she attended Parks School of Business. After graduating, Donna held positions in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska as a private secretary and bookkeeper. She was employed as a bookkeeper in the office of the Farmers Co-op Association in Red Cloud at the time of her retirement in September of 2003. Donna enjoyed telephone conversations and visits with friends and family. Before experiencing poor vision, she also liked reading, creating greeting cards, crocheting, and watching TV.

Donna's father preceded her in death on December 18, 1952 and her mother on April 18, 2006. Donna is survived by two daughters: Shelly Ann Kosch and husband Gordon of Columbus, Nebraska and Jo Jan Siel and husband John of Maricopa, Arizona; five grandchildren: Heather Todd and husband Ian of Norfolk, Nebraska, Austin Kosch of Columbus, Nebraska, Roxanne Siel of Phoenix, Arizona, Joshua Siel and wife Shelby of Eagle, Nebraska, and Brigitte Rojas and husband Diego of Phoenix, Arizona; and two great-grandchildren: Alyssa and Khloe Todd of Norfolk, Nebraska.