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Donna Sue (Dawkins) DeMeulmeester, 84, of Bellevue, Nebraska, passed away September 1, 2026.

Born October 28, 1941, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Bert and Mary Dawkins, Donna grew up in Chillicothe, Missouri, and graduated with the first class of Marian High School in Omaha.

Donna married Robert “Bob” DeMeulmeester on October 31, 1959. During Bob’s Navy career, they lived throughout the country before settling in Blair, Nebraska, where they raised their five children. They shared 66 years of marriage.

Donna was a hardworking entrepreneur involved with Tupperware, Home Interiors, Avon, Pearl Jewelry, and other ventures. A devout Catholic, she sang in the choir at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church and prayed the rosary daily. She loved 1950s music, dachshunds, boating on the Missouri River, and preserving family photographs and memories.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sharon Hale; and brother, Bert Dawkins Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; children, Bridget McCleskey and husband Jeffory Pralle, Pam Heger, Bob DeMeulmeester Jr., Lorrie Eckman and husband Rod, and Bart DeMeulmeester and wife Denise; siblings, Judy Shoup, Christine Souchek and husband Jim, Steve Dawkins, and Mary Engel and husband Doug; brother-in-law, Jim DeMeulmeester; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, Simon, Amos, Evan, Ava, Kaden, and Reese; and many nieces and nephews. The family deeply appreciates the loving care Donna received at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home.

Funeral arrangements will be announced. Donna will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha. Memorials may be made to the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home or Catholic Charities.

Visitation Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak and Cutler Mortuary, 7805 W. Center Road from 4:00 PM until the time of vigil service at 6:00 PM.

Funeral Mass, 10:00 AM, Friday, September 4, 2026 at St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic Church, 12330 S 36th St, Bellevue, NE.

Donna will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha.

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska. ~~~

FindaGrave # 306321049