Obituary for Donna Rae Elder (Mills)
Donna Rae Elder, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, at the residency on April 9th, 2021, after suffering a major stroke in 2005. Cremation has taken place at her request. A celebration of life will be held Thursday April 15th at 10am at the Chuckwagon Church (522 E Overland) in Scottsbluff. In lieu of flowers, Donna requests you give your loved ones hugs and always show kindness. Online condolences may be made by viewing Donna’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Scottsbluff are entrusted with arrangements.
Donna was born April 27th, 1934 to Thomas and Ruby (Smith) Mills in Kensington, KS. She attended all grades of school in Kensington and graduated in 1952. In July 1953 she married Gilbert Elder in Englewood, CO. To this union 2 daughters were born. RaeJean (1956) and Gaylene (1959). In 1958, they made their home in Scottsbluff. Gilbert and Donna later divorced. In 1968, Donna began her career as a nurse’s aide at St Mary's Hospital. In 1972 she graduated with the first LPN Class at NWC. She continued working for 32 years at St Mary's and later RWMC. She retired in 1999 and began respite care and was a foster Grandma at Roosevelt Elementary. She taught Sunday School and helped with the Awana program at Gering Zion Church for many years.
Survivors include daughters RaeJean Zollitsch of Conway, South Carolina, Gaylene (Bob) French of Minatare, NE, Grandchildren Robert (Kelli) French of Lyman, NE, Becca (Max) Bradford of Bayard, NE, 5 Great-Grandchildren, Sister Fran (Sam) Kirby of Loveland, CO, Brother Alan (Gina) Mills of Goodland, KS, and sister-in-law Mary Ann Mills of Alma, NE.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, infant Sister, Brothers Gary and Dale, infant granddaughter, a niece and a nephew.
Donna was born April 27th, 1934 to Thomas and Ruby (Smith) Mills in Kensington, KS. She attended all grades of school in Kensington and graduated in 1952. In July 1953 she married Gilbert Elder in Englewood, CO. To this union 2 daughters were born. RaeJean (1956) and Gaylene (1959). In 1958, they made their home in Scottsbluff. Gilbert and Donna later divorced. In 1968, Donna began her career as a nurse’s aide at St Mary's Hospital. In 1972 she graduated with the first LPN Class at NWC. She continued working for 32 years at St Mary's and later RWMC. She retired in 1999 and began respite care and was a foster Grandma at Roosevelt Elementary. She taught Sunday School and helped with the Awana program at Gering Zion Church for many years.
Survivors include daughters RaeJean Zollitsch of Conway, South Carolina, Gaylene (Bob) French of Minatare, NE, Grandchildren Robert (Kelli) French of Lyman, NE, Becca (Max) Bradford of Bayard, NE, 5 Great-Grandchildren, Sister Fran (Sam) Kirby of Loveland, CO, Brother Alan (Gina) Mills of Goodland, KS, and sister-in-law Mary Ann Mills of Alma, NE.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, infant Sister, Brothers Gary and Dale, infant granddaughter, a niece and a nephew.