Donna Rae Whitmore-Lawrence, 71, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Emerald Care & Rehabilitation in Columbus.

The funeral service will be on Thursday, November 17 at 4:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until service time on Thursday. Private family interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to those of the family choice. The family would like to invite all to join them at the Eagles Club after the funeral service.

Donna Rae was born July 9, 1951, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Tom and Evelyn (Clark) Watts. The family moved to Clinton, Iowa, where Donna graduated from Clinton High School. She met and married Russ Whitmore and to this union five children were born. Donna later moved back to Nebraska, making her home in Randolph. Donna worked as a deputy sheriff for Cedar County prior to becoming a waitress/bartender, as she loved serving others. When her health began to fail, Donna moved to Columbus to be closer to family.

Donna enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, cooking, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her heart of gold, and how she would open her home to others, especially during the holidays.

Donna is survived by:
Son – Jason (Tami) Whitmore of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Angie (Kevin) Arndt of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Amber Whitmore of Randolph, NE
Son – Craig (Nicole) Whitmore of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Melissa Whitmore of Hartington, NE
15 Grandchildren
11 Great Grandchildren

Donna was preceded in death by:
Father – Tom Watts
Mother - Evelyn Hood
Twin Sister – Lonna Kay Watts
Step-Dad - Ralph Hood
Significant Other – Pat Kaiser

Service Folder Information
God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So He put his arms around you
And whispered "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes
We watched you suffer
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating
Hardworking hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the BEST.

It's lonesome here without you
We miss you more each day
Life doesn't seem the same
Since you've gone away.

When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong
We seem to hear you whisper
"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture
You seem to smile and say
"Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping
We'll meet again someday!"




In Loving Memory Of

Donna Whitmore-Lawrence

Born
Monday, July 9, 1951
Norfolk, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Thursday, November 17, 2022 4:00 PM
Gass Haney Funeral Home
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Cory Burma

Music
Dina Briggs & Nevaya Metcalfe – Duet
"Amazing Grace
"Angels Among Us"
"You Raise Me Up"

Honorary Casket Bearers
Brandon Zakrzewski
Josh Whitmore
Mason Whitmore
Doug Albers
Brad Albers
Scott Ahlmann
Travis Kumm
Trent Kumm

Private Family Interment
Roselawn Memorial Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska