GOTHENBURG — Donna J. Burson, 81, of Gothenburg died May 12, 2003, at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital.

She was born April 12, 1922, in Hastings to George Thomas and Sylvia Paris Vickers. She grew up in the rural areas of Gothenburg and graduated in 1939. She attended the School of Beauty Academy in Hastings and became a licensed cosmetologist.

On Dec. 18, 1942, she married Charles Burson in Crawford. While he was stationed overseas during World War II, she worked at the Lockheed Air Plant in Anaheim, Calif. After the war they moved back to Nebraska where they farmed and ranched south of Gothenburg for many years. She worked several years at Monroe Auto in Cozad. She had a very active social life until her death.

Mrs. Burson was a charter member of the SSS Extension Club and a charter member of the Lake Helen Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed her flowers and gardens. She was a member of the Gothenburg Gardenaires and the Country Gardeners of Maywood. She was a Federated Master Gardener. She was an avid Christian and was baptized into the Baptist Church at an early age. She attended Antelope Baptist and later became a member of the First Baptist Church in Gothenburg.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She touched many lives and never knew a stranger.

Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Karole (John) Rowland of Littleton, Colo., Connie (Charlie) Bihlmaier of Gothenburg, Nancy (Doug) Johnson of Kasilof, Alaska and Peggy Burson of Kearney; eight grandchildren, John D. (Stephanie) Rowland, William Rowland, Michael Bierma, Adam Clevenger, Joseph (Lisa) Bihlmaier, Jill (John) Schmeeckle, LaDonna (Jeff) Brock and Charles E. Burson; eight great-grandchildren, Kolton and Konner Barnes, Jacob Schmeeckle, Ty, Dade and Dakin Brock and Kendra and Ethan Bihlmaier; a sister, Doris Kotschwar of Cozad; a brother, Tom (Shirley) Vickers of Farnam; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial has been established.

Services will at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Gothenburg with the Revs. Dan Moeller and Larry Viter officiating. Burial will be in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Thursday at Blasé Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg.

The North Platte Telegraph, May 14, 2003.