Donna Jean Mentzer, 84, of North Platte, NE passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Linden Court surrounded by her family. She was born on July 11, 1939, in Maxwell, NE, the daughter of Dorman Bertis and Adelaide “Addie” Leora (Goochey) Hall.
Donna married Donald Eugene “Don” Mentzer on August 14, 1955 in North Platte, and together they had two children: Doug and Cindy. The family moved to North Platte in 1959. Donna returned to school for her GED after her children were raised and then got her 2-year degree in accounting from Mid-Plains Community College. She and her husband Don purchased Mentzer Oil Company in 1984. She worked alongside her husband in the family business, Mentzer Oil for many years. After retirement, Donna and Don enjoyed traveling together and attending bluegrass festivals. She loved cooking and entertaining, and family was everything to her. Donna loved her pet dogs, Pepper and Banjo.
Those left to cherish her memory are daughter, Cindy (Dan) Halligan of North Platte; daughter in law, Denise Mentzer of North Platte; grandchildren Stephanie (Aric) Riggins of McCook, Amanda (Jeremy) Hankla, Brett (Kit) Mentzer both of North Platte, Craig (Erin) Freeburg of Las Vegas, NV, Travis (Emma) Halligan of North Platte, Sarah (Chris) Wright of Yuma, AZ, Monica Halligan, Los Angeles, Ca; great-grandchildren Coleman, Riley, Kaden, Mason, Ben, Millie, Parker, Piper, Violet, Hannah, Oscar, and Scarlett; sister in laws and brother in law, Lorri Reutzel of North Platte, Donna and Jim Clark of NJ; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Don; son, Doug; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth (Ferne) Fraze; sisters and brothers in law, Tyrone (Richard) Lookhart, Arlene Ross, Dorothy (Jack) Tumbleson; in laws, Clyde and Irene Mentzer; brothers in law and sisters in law, Delbert (Patty) Mentzer, Norman (Sharon) Mentzer, and Neil Reutzel.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 at First Baptist Church with Pastor Kem Reeder officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Burial will follow in the Plainview Cemetery, Maxwell. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to either First Baptist Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or Maranatha Bible Camp.