Donna Delores Derowitsch was born March 12, 1947 in Red Cloud,
Nebraska
. Her first ten years of school were spent in Republic,
Kansas
until the family moved to
Scandia
where she graduated from Scandia High in 1965. She married Lloyd C. Derowitsch on August 7, 1965 at the
Republic
United
Methodist
Church
and they began together their journey of 46 years of marriage. Donna and Lloyd were foster parents to many young children in the beginning years, and were later blessed with twin sons, Tim and Tom. They were blessed again with another son,
Chad
, six years later. Donna was a lover of children and was overjoyed when she became a grandmother to Emma and Ashlyn.
Donna cooked for 12 years in the Bucklin,
Kansas
school system and 12 more years at
Pike
Valley
High School
when she and her husband returned to
Scandia
to be closer to family in 1999. Donnas' family was her first of friends, but anyone who ever met her soon became a friend. It was impossible not to know Donna and not love her. Her gentle spirit and kind heart were evident in every task she took on, and she took on many. The kitchen was her sanctuary and she never served a bad meal at her house. Many of her baking secrets no one else will ever know.
Donna was the piece of the puzzle that made our picture complete. She was always taking care of so many, and in return we happily repaid the favor in each of our own ways. Hardly a day passed that she did not enjoy afternoon coffee with her mom and dad, a promise she made when she returned to
Scandia
12 years ago. She never failed to talk to her husband nightly when he was traveling, just to know each was ok.
Donna was a believer in angels. She always said that everyone had a time to die and if it wasn't your time, the angels would protect you. If it was your time then the angels would take you with them. Her angels came far too soon for those who knew her, but we know she will always be cared for by them. And our angel is still looking out for us. We love you, Donna, and will always miss you. Donna passed from our lives on Monday, June 27, 2011 at
Lincoln
,
Nebraska
at the age of 64 years. Donna will be forever remembered by her mother and step-father Norma (Noble) and Clarence "Bud" Berggren of Scandia; husband Lloyd of their home; sons Thomas Eric of Tucson, AZ, Timothy Shawn of Denver, CO, and Chad J. (Kristin) of Olathe; granddaughters Emma & Ashlyn; brothers Gary Cline of Scandia and Bob Cline and wife Pat of Belleville; sister Paula Swenson and husband Roger of Lyons; many other relatives including Lloyd's family; and many friends. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 2, 2011 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in
Belleville
,
Kansas
. Family inurnment was in the
Chester
Cemetery
,
Chester
,
Nebraska
. Memorials may be made to the family's choice to be designated in the future.
