Donna Rae (Schumaker) Nelson

Donna Rae (Schumaker) Nelson AKA “Nana” age 90, passed with peace and grace in the early morning of Saturday, December 28th, 2024, at her son’s home in Sandwich.

Born February 22, 1934, in Plano, Illinois, Donna attended elementary and graduated high school in 1952. Nelson was employed, married, and raised her son Steven in the town that she adored. Wedded to John Nelson, Donna was an excellent homemaker and matriarch of holidays and milestone celebrations. She was employed in her early years at CBS Café, Weir Foundry and retired as Secretary of the Plano School District, 88. She continued to work part time holding administrative positions at Walmart pharmacy and Doctor Jose Trevino’s office, both in Plano.

As a youth, Donna proved her patriotism and leadership for this nation by honoring those who served and were sacrificed. She proudly attended American Legion Auxiliary, Illinois Girls State honored the returning military soldiers, including her husband John and her beloved brother, Stanton (Junior). She spoke of writing letters, fixing meals, and celebrating their return from deployment. She attended Memorial Services and Veteran’s Day dinners, sometimes even preparing dishes to pass.

Donna took part in countless PHS Class of 1952 Alumni activities. She was on the reunion committee, rode in PHS homecoming parades and attended homecoming football games. She kept a purple folder for every classmate and slipped in reunion RSVPs over the years and personal notes (sometimes family photos) from those unable to attend. When a classmate passed, she completed the folder by clipping the obituary of funeral memorial card to the folder. Only a handful of her classmates survived her, and she knew them by name until just last year.

Donna loved to travel and did so (after becoming widowed) with her closest childhood travel buddies, Barb Pena, Emily Johns, Joanne Gregory and Ceila Johnson. Donna was always up for a trip! Florida, Texas, Amana Colonies, and Hawaii were some of her favorite spots. On big or small girls’ trips, she embraced the opportunity to be with friends and family and see new places. Donna and Steven were embraced with love and companionship by Donna’s lifelong friend, Charlie Reed. She was also blessed to travel to Las Vegas, to a Superbowl game and other activities with her friend Charlie.

The Reed Family lovingly incorporated Steve and his mother into their family abode, creating years of memories (and great FISH stories) on family trips to Safe Harbor Resort, Leach Lake, Minnesota. Donna would manage the resort food services, reservations and make sure the children kept the resort, with some level of organization.

When things slowed down a bit, Donna proudly earned her new title: “Nana.” Steven & Becky blessed her with two beautiful Grandson’s, Jake, and Kyle in the early 90s. They are and will always be, the apple of her eye! She loved to take them to Walmart or the coffee shop and show them off. She attended school programs, baseball games and birthdays, loyally. She baked birthday cakes for them, gifted them with Easter baskets and hosted them every Christmas Eve. The kids would walk into gifts of love that filled her tiny house to the ceiling. Nana adored those boys! She lived to welcome two Great Grandchildren into her heart also. The home caregiving arrangement allowed Nana to enjoy these beautiful children almost daily. She would eat breakfast with Ayla and Bentley, put puzzles together, play patty cake and so much more. Although the disease challenged her happiness, when the “greats” were present, Nana was glowing!

Donna was a member of the daughters of the American Revolution, Moose International, Plano American Legion Auxiliary and AFSME. She devoted her life to family and friends and her community. She is proceeded in death by her late husband, John Nelson, parents Marie & Stanton Schumaker, her beloved brother Stan (Junior) Schumaker, her friend and companion, Charles Reed, her sister and best friend, Barbara Pena and many friends, family, and Alumni classmates.

Nana is survived by her only beloved son, Steve (Becky) Nelson of Sandwich, IL, her niece Sandra Rogers (Yorkville, IL), Grandson Jake (Ashley) Nelson, Kyle (Kayla Gray) Nelson and great grandchildren, Ayla and Bentley along with many Schumaker, Johnson and Nelson family members and beloved friends.

Family and friends are invited to honor Donna. Visitation with Nana’s family will be Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 11am to 2pm at Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry St., Sandwich, IL 60548. Funeral services will start at 2pm at Beverage Family Funeral Home with interment to follow in Little Rock Township Cemetery in Plano. Arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com

The Family of Donna Nelson wish to thank the Home Touch staff (Gary, Tina, Mike, Jurgita, Sonya, Micah and Cyndi) for their services to the Nelson family over the past 6 years, thank you to Unity Hospice for stepping in on Christmas Day. A very special thank you to Nana’s daily care team to the end, son, Steven, daughter in law Becky & Marni (McGava) Kormany. We are grateful for all your love and support to Donna.

Even though a failing body took her away from this world, her loving memory left a beacon of light for all who loved her.