Donna Rae Vancura, 95, of Grand Island, formerly of Ord, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Donna Rae was born November 11, 1928, to Howard B. and Julia A. (Fahey) Kamery. She was raised near Taylor where she attended country school and graduated from Taylor High School.

While in high school she received Normal Training and went on to teach country school from 1946-1947. Donna moved to Oregon then Denver, Colorado where she worked for the Telephone Company as an operator.

On May 22, 1951, Donna was united in marriage to Edwin E. "Ed" Vancura at Taylor, Nebraska. In 1952, Ed joined the United States Army and the couple's first son, Loren joined them in Trieste, Italy. Upon returning from the Army on the ship, their second son, Dean was born in 1953.

Following the service, Ed and Donna lived on the family farm where they raised their family, Loren, Dean, Cindy, Debra and Tammy. In 1965, they moved to another farm 10 miles west of Ord, making this their home until 1978, when they moved into Ord and purchased the gas station on the west side of Ord. The couple operated the gas station until 1988.

Donna was a member of the Ord First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and American Legion Auxiliary. Donna and Ed were avid Polka and Square dancers. During legion baseball season, Donna operated the concession stand at the ballpark. She enjoyed quilting, sewing and playing pitch.

Survivors include a son, Loren Vancura of Elwood; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Jeff Green of Bennet, Debra and Steve Hanquist of Grand Island and Tammy and Mark Evetovich of Platteville, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed; a son, Dean Vancura; three brothers, Bo, Paul and Milford Kamery; and two sisters, Neolia Holcomb and Agnes Howard.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Ord, Nebraska. Reverend Spenser Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow in the Ord Bohemian Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Ord Flag Fund or to the Family's Choice.

Condolences can be mailed to:

Deb Hanquist
3532 Schroeder Avenue
Grand Island, NE 68803