Donna Marie Lechner Schultz
August 25, 1931 – October 20, 2023
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond E. Schultz. Survived by daughters: Carrie Murphy (John), Kathy Wear (Brad), Kris Drain (Philip LaCerte), Mary Clark (Rob), and Lisa Tulp (Bryan); 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Private services and burial. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hospice of the Midwest.
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Donna Marie (Lechner) Schultz, 92, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, October 20th.
She was born in Evanston, Illinois, on August 25, 1931, to Joseph and Elizabeth Lechner, the youngest of six children; Robert, Lois (Heidbrink), Jack, Rita (Benson) and Paul, who preceded her in death.
She met the love of her life at Marquette University and married Raymond E. Schultz on November 19, 1955, in Wilmette, Illinois. Together they raised five daughters who survive them; Carolyn Murphy (John) of Omaha, Nebraska, Kathryn Wear (Brad) of Gallatin, Tennessee, Kristin Drain (Philip Lacerte) of Friday Harbor, Washington, Mary Clark (Robert) of Reno, Nevada, and Lisa Tulp (Bryan) of Leawood, Kansas. Ray passed away suddenly in 1991, and her daughters are filled with joy knowing that their parents are now reunited for eternity.
After living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Atlanta, Georgia, Donna and Ray moved their family to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1966. The Schultz’s were among the first members of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. She was one of the parish school’s first elementary teachers, a daily mass participant, an active parish leader and a committed volunteer for decades. St. Robert’s was her spiritual home, where she practiced and shared her devout faith with her friends and neighbors. One of Donna’s proudest achievements was being named Outstanding Catholic Woman by the Omaha Urban Council of Catholic Women in 2011. Her long-time pastor and friend Father Don Shane presented her with the award as her proud daughters and granddaughters cheered her accomplishment.
In the 1970s, Donna set an example for “her girls” by creating new career pathways for herself. She made a successful transition from teacher to stay-at-home mother to career woman, and worked for many years in the retail and real estate industries. She worked long hours, and still came home every evening to prepare dinner for her family (with a Manhattan in hand). Donna had many gifts: she was an accomplished pianist, a talented seamstress and played a mean hand of bridge.
Donna will be missed by her grandchildren Brian and Ray Drain, Megan Shade, Matt Wear, Molly Long, Kaleen Ekiss, Kelsey Dugick, Kara Derr, Kelsey Abel, Andrew Clark, and Sam, Sophia, Will and Lila Tulp. She was also blessed with eight beautiful great grandchildren.
Donna made many wonderful life-long friends, especially Kathryn and George Grieb, and loved celebrating with the Birthday Club.
Following a private funeral service, she will be buried next to her husband at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice of the Midwest, which provided loving care to Donna in her last days, would be greatly appreciated.
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