Martha L. (Edelman) Donason, age 86 of Ogallala, died Monday, July 1, 2024, at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala, NE.
Martha was born July 9, 1937; in her grandparent’s home in rural Thomas County near Seneca, NE. to Leo F. and Josephine M. (Morey) Edelman.
She attended rural school during the first and second grades, moving to Seneca for third grade through Junior High School. She graduated in 1955 after spending her Senior year at Thomas County High School in Thedford, NE. She then attended Chadron State College to receive her teaching certificate and continued taking classes in the summers and off-campus classes to keep her certificate current. From 1955 she taught for 17 ½ years in Sheridan, Dawes, Cherry, Garden, and Grant Counties. She stopped teaching in 1971.
She married Louis Jack Donason on July 1, 1958, at the Cherry County Courthouse in Valentine, NE. Together they lived on various ranches, where Louis worked and she taught in nearby schools. They leased land and began to fulfill Louis’s dream of ranching for himself. Martha became his main hired man and general helper. She was a cook, calving assistant and always worked in the hayfield. Her least favorite jobs were fencing and windmill repair.
She loved her horses and enjoyed calving and tagging her babies. In summer she always had a garden and canned much of her produce. She enjoyed knitting, and crochet and made clothing for her family. In 1983 she discovered craft shows and began selling her handmade items.
In 2004, they purchased a small acreage in Ogallala, NE, and retired there in 2005. Because of Louis's health was poor, they spent most of their time enjoying their home. They did enjoy attending horse sales and an occasional local roping.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Jean (Scott) Ladely, and son, Shane Donason; six grandchildren, Deri Ladely, Kassie (Fletcher) Hodges, Aron (Nancy) Ladely, Dalton, Colton and Morgan Donason; and six great-grandchildren Khain Ladely and Hunter, Blakely, Abbie and Ella Hodges and Sebastion Donason; her brother's and their wives,) John (Suzanne) and Mark (Dori), and Tom Edelman.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Louis Donason; her parents, Leo and Josephine Edelman, a sister Jill Edelman and brother Sidney (Linda) Edelman.
A private family inurnment will take place in the Lavaca cemetery in Irwin, NE.
Online condolences may be left by clicking the Share a Memory or the Tribute Wall Button by going to www.drauckerfh.com.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements.