THORNTON, Colo. — Donna L. Nei, age 72, a resident of Thornton, Colo. passed away on July 2nd, 2019 at her home. Born on Nov. 25, 1946, in Ellinwood, Kan. to Emil and Betty Scheufler. She graduated in 1964 from Ellinwood High School and in 1968 from Sterling College, Sterling, Kan. with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Donna’s first teaching assignment was in Adams County, Colo. She started in 2nd grade and moved to 6th for most of her 30 teaching years. She especially enjoyed the Outdoor Education experiences with her 6th graders. She had a gift for connecting with this age with her wit and no-nonsense approach.
On March 16, 1974 she was united in marriage with Peter Allan Nei. They lived in Thornton for 30 years and enjoyed gardening, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. After retiring from teaching she worked for DU as administrative secretary and after Allan’s death was employed as office manager for Crossroads Church of Northglenn. Donna’s church family was an important part of her life. She sang with the worship team and played in the Hand Bell Choir. She participated in many ministries and outreaches. Her interests included photography, reading, travel, music, antiquing, scrapbooking, shopping, volunteering, gardening and entertaining.
The greatest joy in her life was her faith and her family relationships as daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, Donna/mom and Nana. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Peter Allan Nei; parents, Emil and Betty Scheufler; and brother, David Scheufler. She is survived by her sisters, Joyce Gookin (Garen), and Annette Viner (William Lee); nieces, Jodi Porter (Mark) and Megan Viner; nephews, Jason Scheufler (Ashley), Jeremy Scheufler (Amanda) and Harrison Viner; great nieces, Emmy and Harper Scheufler; great nephews, Ellis and Kellen Scheufler, Reece and Rylan Porter; by marriage – sons, Mark ( Becky), Scott (Victoria) and Eric (Dawn); grandchildren, Matthew, Tia, Jeremiah, Alisha (Nick), Garrett Faith, Ethan, Miriam and Sarah; and great grandson, Clayton.
Services for Donna will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Crossroads Church of Northglenn with a reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made to Tru Community Care Hospice, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026.
Please visit www.HoranCares.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Horan & McConaty Funeral Service/Cremation
9998 Grant Street
Thornton, CO 80229
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 7, 2019
