Donna Raye Harding was born July 8, 1936, in Galesville, Wisconsin, to Lloyd and Agnes (Dick) Johnson and passed away Jan. 9, 2023, in Seward, at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 1 day.
She attended country school all eight years, graduating from Galesville High School in 1954 and Doane College in 1975. On Aug. 9, 1958, Donna was united in marriage to John Harding in Galesville. They moved to Lincoln for two years, eventually moving to Beaver Crossing, where they made their home for more than 50 years. They made the move to Seward after the tornado in May of 2014. Donna had a love for teaching and taught several places for a total of 30 years including Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Beaver Crossing, Waco and Utica.
Music was a great source of enjoyment in Donna’s life. As a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beaver Crossing, she spent many years playing the organ for weekend masses, funerals, marriages and for “special” family celebrations in the surrounding area. A very special event in her lifetime was playing the organ in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, for a 50th ordination of a priest in 2000.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 2018; and brother, Ronald Johnson.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her three sons, Terence and wife, Kay Harding, West Des Moines, Iowa; Jeffrey and wife, Yvette Harding, St. Charles, Illinois; and Jon Harding, Prairie Village, Kansas; brother, Jerry Johnson and wife, Carole; half-sister, Judy Nelson; sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnson; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 13 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward with interment at Calvary Cemetery in Beaver Crossing. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Beaver Crossing. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
