Donna Colleen Menolascino (Potthoff)
March 23,1934 – June 6, 2025
Donna passed away peacefully and with dignity at the family home where she and Frank had raised their six children.
She was born in Halbur, Iowa, to Peter and Lillian Potthoff. When she moved to Omaha to become a radiology technician at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, she met her future husband, Dr. Frank Menolascino in the hospital cafeteria.
Donna was a self-taught artist who found beauty in the world around her and enjoyed creating it in her paintings and pottery. Making art was a passion for her, selling works at local galleries and often gifting her work to family and friends, who will continue to enjoy her art for years to come. As well, she was drawn to the outdoors playing tennis, rollerblading, cross country skiing, and gardening. Donna loved to laugh and appreciated the warmth and humor of her friends and especially her family.
Donna often volunteered at the UNMC Women’s Faculty Club and the Cathedral Arts Program. Above all however, she loved 
spending time with her grandchildren, her large extended family, and her friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Frank Menolascino; her sisters, Marilyn Kafonek and Patricia Halbur, her brothers Bob Potthoff and Gary Potthoff; and her dear friend, Karl Momsen.
She is survived by her children: Shelly (Mitch), Cindy (Henry), Michael (Alexandra), Scott (Lyn), Mark, and Amy Zweiback (Tim); grandchildren include: Adrienne Schweer, Frank, Grant, Wyley, Henry, Katelyn Hartman, Paige Monzu, Taylor Huerta, Anthony, Jueliet, Max and Mia Zweiback; great-grandchildren include: Flora, Sullivan, Georgia, Bradley, Barry, Palmer, Luke, and Tomas.
She is survived by her siblings: Dan Potthoff (Sharon), Diane Clark, and Peter Potthoff (Joan); her many nieces and nephews; and her devoted caregivers.
Family and Friends are invited to a Celebration of Donna’s Life on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Sunderland Gallery of Saint Cecilia Cathedral Arts Project, 3900 Webster St. in Omaha, from 5:00-8:00PM.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family kindly requests you to support local artists in Donna’s memory.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
5 Comments
*A nice lady from a welcoming family. Will be thinking of all in your family in the days, weeks & months ahead.
RIP good lady.
I really enjoyed getting to know Donna through our association at the Passageway Gallery in the Old Market
Many years ago, I had the privilege of knowing and spending time with the Menolascino family. Donna was a deeply gifted artist and created a portrait in chalk of my grandmother for my mom, Helyn, in exchange for my mother giving her children piano lessons. I have fond memories as a child, of visiting them all in the summer months. My sympathies to all of the family and may Donna be surrounded with beauty and peace. Her gifts will be with us always.
I wish to share a glorious tribute — filled with love ❤️, honor 🎖, and respect — for Aunt Donna Menolascino.
Aunt Donna’s remarkable spirit of family 👪 ❤️ leadership, humility, compassion, love ❤️, and forgiveness is something I carry with me every day.
I treasured the special family time spent with Aunt Donna during family visits, holidays, picnics, ice skating, and so on …
I will always remember the “Angel” like quality Aunt Donna possessed especially with teaching forgiveness.
Aunt Donna would say, “practice forgiveness 7 x 70, especially with family members.”
To be sure, I am a better person because of the family time spent with Aunt Donna.
Amen
God Bless
Aunt Donna
❤️
Frank Ferrante
PS: Aunt Donna loved flowers 💐.
I am sharing a picture of hydrangeas in my yard that Aunt Donna and my lovely Mother Ann Ferrante ❤️ purchased many years ago — to honor their legacy of love ❤️ that still lives on …
Amen
✌️ 🙏 ☮️ 🕊
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