MEMORIAM]

May 29, 1928 ~ March 7, 2025

Clay Center resident Donna Lee Boeka, 96, passed away Friday, March 7, 2025, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the United Church of Christ in Clay Center, with Pastor Stuart Davis officiating. Interment followed at the Clay Center Cemetery in Clay Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later.

Condolences may be left at www. mclaughlinchapel.com Donna was born May 29, 1928, to Edwin and Viola (Pfister) Mussman of Daykin. She graduated from high school in Western. She completed normal training and became a rural schoolteacher outside of Daykin.

Donna Lee Mussman and Paul Gustav Boeka were united in marriage April 20, 1948. They lived in Daykin and welcomed their oldest child, Mike, the following year. They moved to Fairbury and had four more children, Cindy, Tom, Bill, and Jane.

In 1961, the Boeka family moved to Clay Center. They owned and operated Paul’s IGA grocery store. In 1974, Donna was elected Clerk of the District Court of Clay County. She served on numerous boards and was an active member of her UCC church community. In retirement, she continued her involvement in Nuckolls and Clay County court proceedings as a bailiff.

In her later years, she became leader of the club: What Would Donna Do?

She was a wonderful cook. Her potato salad and holiday dressing served many in the community as well as her family.

Reading, dancing, gardening, playing cards, and playing the piano were favorite pastimes. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s school activities.

Donna’s life was grounded in her deep faith, her profound love for family, and her endearing friendships, which she valued greatly.

She is survived by her children, Mike (Sarah) of Blair, Tom (Barbara) of Swisher, IA, Bill of Blair, and daughter, Jane of Silverton, OR; grandchildren, Molly (Ken) of Logan, UT, Ann (Kirk) of Coralville, IA, Amanda (Nick) of Woodridge, IL, and Adam of Blair; nine great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, and daughter, Cindy.