Donna Marie Keithley, 92, life-long resident of North Platte, NE passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024 at Great Plains Health Hospital. Donna was born on June 9, 1932 in North Platte, the daughter of Arthur and Getty (Greeley) Stewart. After the early passing of her mother, she was raised by her stepmother, Pearl (Larsen) Stewart.
Donna grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School. She became an apprentice beautician and opened several beauty shops in the North Platte area over her 45-year career as a beautician. She married Gerald Shaner and had two sons, Gary Shaner and Mark Shaner. She later was married to William “Bill” R. Keithley on January 21, 1984 in Las Vegas, NV. Donna was an active volunteer in the community especially with the soup supper. She was also an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. She loved tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and in her younger years enjoyed outings and spending time with her many friends. She also enjoyed interior decorating and design and was always very welcoming to others in her home, especially during the holidays. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Donna was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Getty; stepmother, Pearl; husband, Bill; son, Gary Shaner; brothers, Lawrence, Chester, and Richard Stewart; sisters, June Gosnell, and Elnora Stewart; stepbrothers, Marion and Sherman Larsen.
Those left to cherish Donna’s memory are her son, Mark Shaner of North Platte; step daughters, Leisa (Donald) Klinge of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kristine Schwager of North Platte; daughter in law, Ulla Lehman Shaner of Germany; grandchildren, Cheyenne Shaner, Cimarron (Tessa) Shaner; step grandchildren, Derek Klinge, Kaitlyn (Kadyn) Moody, Tyler Johnson, Cole Schwager, and Savanna Schwager; 6 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews who adored her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Patrick Sipes officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16th with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.