Donna Mae Milander

Donna Mae Milander, age 83 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Providence Medical Center in Wayne, Nebraska. Funeral Services will be on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 10:30 am at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Coleridge with Rev. Gary Kimm officiating. Burial will be in the Coleridge City Cemetery in Coleridge. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at the church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am on Friday at the church. The Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge is assisting with the arrangements. To view the video tribute, or to send online condolences, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Holly Jareske, Amber Liljedahl, Heather Behrle, Jeremy Milander, Bryan Pippitt and Scott Pippitt. Donna was born on December 19, 1934 in Nebraska City, Nebraska to Gerhart Otto and Erma Margaret (Vock) Puppe. She lived in Nebraska City until at the age of 14 when they moved to a farm in the Pearl Creek area west of Coleridge. She was confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Coleridge. Donna married Eugene Milander on July 9, 1953 in Coleridge. They farmed in the Coleridge area and Donna helped Gene with many of the chores. She loved keeping everything nice and tidy and took great pride and satisfaction with how the farm appeared. In 2016 they moved into Laurel. Donna was an active member of the Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Coleridge and was a charter member of the Dryland Daisies Extension Club. She instilled her love of music in all of her children and loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren. Donna is survived by her husband of 65 years, Eugene Milander of Laurel; 3 children, Jon and Carol Milander of Coleridge; Pam and Kevin Goering of Platte Center, NE; Karla and Greg Pippitt of Laurel; 6 grandchildren, Holly and Ryan Jareske, Amber and Ryan Liljedahl, Heather and Jon Behrle, Jeremy Milander, Bryan and Megan Pippitt, Scott Pippitt, 9 great grandchildren, a brother, Jerry and Marilyn Puppe of Coleridge and a sister, Linda and Daryle Milbrath of Winston-Salem, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, David Milander, 2 granddaughters, Kristin Milander and Susan Pippitt and a sister, Jean Ann Brown.