Donna Rae Whitmore-Lawrence

COLUMBUS — Donna Rae Whitmore-Lawrence, 71, Columbus, died Nov. 13, 2022, at Emerald Care and Rehabilitation, Columbus.

The funeral service will be Nov. 17, at 4 p.m., at Gass Haney Funeral Home, with Rev. Cory Burma officiating.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until service time, Thursday.

Private family interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery.

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,, 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 they had five children. 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 her son, Jason (Tami) Whitmore, Columbus; daughter, Angie (Kevin) Arndt, Columbus; daughter, Amber Whitmore, Randolph; son, Craig (Nicole) Whitmore, Columbus; daughter, Melissa Whitmore, Hartington; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Evelyn Watts; twin sister, Lonna Kay Watts; and significant other, Pat Kaiser.

Memorials may be directed to those of the family choice.

Donna Whitmore-Lawrence