Obituary of Donna Noll

Donna Jean Noll, age 66 of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully with family members nearby early Wednesday morning, July 1, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Donna was born September 24, 1948 in York, Nebraska, the daughter of Donald J. Noll and Betty Jean (Schoonover) Noll. Donna grew up in Sanborn, Iowa and attended the Sanborn School District, graduating from High School in 1967. She then attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1971. She continued her education at University of Nebraska in Omaha, receiving a Master’s Degree in Education in 1975. Donna lived her adult life in Omaha and taught in the Omaha Public School District. She began her teaching career in 1975 at McMillan Junior High, teaching Reading/English. Later she transferred to Central High School, until her retirement in 2005. Donna also became a licensed real estate agent and was active in Omaha real estate, which enabled her to gain the rare skill of sharing the exact directions to any address in Omaha. If you traveled with Donna, you were made aware of her aversion to bridges, which is rather difficult living in the Omaha area. Donna was very involved in Educational Politics and Democratic Politics - and actually took a year off to manage the campaign of Peter Hoagland. She was active in the Democratic Party at the local, county, state and national levels. She was involved with the Nebraska Democratic Party Central Committee for many years and received the state party Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award in 2003, as well as various other honors for her contributions and involvement with the Douglas County Democrats. Donna loved to travel: NEA Conventions, Democratic Conventions, Presidential Inaugurations, the Noll/Schoonover winter trips south to Disney World, and trips with friends were all favorites. An experience she treasured was her last trip flying to Illinois with Lana for Kaylee’s wedding where she was able to see all of her extended family. In the last few years, Donna enjoyed relaxing outdoors and looked forward to any visitors. She especially enjoyed visits from her good friends and fellow teachers, Rita Ryan and Jeff Sill, as well as Joe and Lana Brandt, and Kate Davidson (who thought of her as a second Mom). She always looked forward to the visits and the “Girls” weekend trips with her lifelong college friends, Lana Brandt, Nancy (Kai) Duhachek and Reene McDonough. She was an avid collector of anything Mickey Mouse, red and white Graniteware, teapots, and antiques of all kinds. She liked watching football: Packers, Hawks, and Huskers, in that order. Donna is survived by two brothers and their spouses: Mark Noll and Connie (Zylstra) Noll of Iowa Falls, Iowa; and Mikael Noll and Brenda (Olson) Noll of Grays Lake, Illinois. She is also survived by two nephews: Brady Noll (wife, Kate) and Andrew Noll, and four nieces: Angela Noll, Sarah Noll, Amy Noll, and Kaylee (Noll) Jordan (husband, Kevin), as well as a great-nephew, Nolan Jordan; a great-niece, Quinn Noll; and one aunt and uncle, Merrie Lou and Hobart Robert Schoonover II; along with several cousins. Donna will be remembered for her warm smile and easy laugh.