Donna Hall

DONNA LOU HALL JUNE 2, 1927 - OCTOBER 25, 2013 Donna Lou was born June 2, 1927 in Kennard, NE to Adolph and Pearl (Milton) Thege. Donna had two older brothers, Wayne and Chuck Thege. She was a fraternal twin to Dallas Thege. Shortly thereafter the Thege family moved to Malmo briefly before moving to Wahoo where Donna and her siblings grew up. She graduated from Wahoo High School where she excelled in academics (science) and music, playing the French horn and singing in the Glee club. After graduating from High school Donna worked for a short time at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant in the engineering department. From there she worked at the Stevens National Bank in Fremont, NE. Moving on from her job in Fremont she worked at the Wahoo State Bank, working in the bookkeeping department in 1947, before she and her husband, Merlin R. Hall, were married. Later, she was made a teller. Donna was the first female in Wahoo to be hired as a bank teller. She was a woman's lib before her time. Donna had the privilege of working for three generations of Hohl's at Wahoo State Bank. Originally John Hohl, Sr. hired her. She then worked for his sons, Clarence and Ray, before working for president Bob Hohl, - Clarence's son. Donna enjoyed the people aspect of her job. Helping customers had been a way of life for her. Donna married the love of her life, Merlin "Curly" R. Hall, a tall 6' 2" Wahoo High School basketball player on September 19, 1948. Donna, on the on the other hand, was 5' 4". This past September, 2013, they celebrated their 65th anniversary. She was an awesome mother to Claudia (Dr. Edward) Smith and Andie (Eunice) (Dr. Larry) Little. Her greatest pride and joy were her 6 grandchildren, Miles John and Saffron Rose Little and Meghan Moira, Eammon Patrick, Brendan Conor and Siobhan Kathleen Smith. She never forgot their birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter and Thanksgiving. She even made up holidays just to send them a card. Each and every card arrived with money going directly into the grandkid's pocket, which of course, they truly appreciated. Donna never skipped a beat with her grandchildren in regard to her kindness and generosity. When she saw her grandchildren a beam of light made its way across her face and theirs as well. She loved being a grandmother. It was the most fulfilling job of her life. Donna and Curly were "golfing aficionados." Every Spring, Summer and Fall weekend was spent golfing at the Wahoo Country Club, puttering around with their friends, steering in the direction of one golf ball after another via their golf cart. Donna and Curly literally "lived and breathed golf." In 1986 the duo purchased a home at Woodcliff, NE, where they spent time boating. Weekends were meant to water ski with their daughters and son-in-laws. Merlin was captain and Donna was co-captain. Lots of friends and relatives visited them "up at the cabin." Missing golf as they did, Donna and Curly moved back to Wahoo where they purchased a home on Laurel Street. This is the grotto where the grandchildren visited. Christmas was especially festive for Donna and her grandkids. They loved visiting and she loved having them at her home. They were her "gift" for Christmas. Due to having three brothers Donna was quite the "fixer-upper." Let's say "mechanically inclined." She could construct/build a wooden deck patio to re-electrifying a complete home. She loved to figure out "how things work." Her interest in "science" in high school paid off. Donna stirred the heart and soul of many. She is missed deeply by her husband, Merlin, as well as her two daughters, sons-in laws and most importantly her six grandchildren. Her family knows she does not intend to rest in peace. Her motto in life was "keep moving." She's probably re-working some complex energy magnetism field up in the deep blue sky. She was a beautiful soul with blue eyes that matched it exactly. Now it's time for Donna to spread her wings and fly that very blue sky. A memorial service for Donna will be held at Pruss-Nabity Funeral Home on May 24 at 11:00 am. A small lunch will follow at the Eagles Club. Inurnment will be held immediately after lunch at Sunrise Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in honor of Donna's love of dogs will be given to Saunders County Lost Pets rescue. Donations can be made online via www.SCLPRescue.org or sent directly to Andie Little, 175 E. Deshler Ave., Columbus, OH 43206