Donna Jane Nickell

March 18, 1948 - July 16, 2023

Donna Jane Nickell, age 75 of Osawatomie, KS, died Sunday July 16, 2023 at Olathe Medical Center.

Donna was born March 18, 1948 in Garnett, KS. She was the third of five children born to Donald Dale and Barbara Jean (Adams) Meeker. She attended school in Garnett and Ottawa.

After school, Donna met Marvin Dean Robbins and they moved to New Orleans, LA. The couple had a daughter, Barbara. While in New Orleans, Donna was a bartender on Bourbon Street. Marvin passed away, and Donna and Barbara moved to Parker, KS.

Donna met Garry Wayne Nickell. They were married September 30, 1971, in La Cygne, KS. Garry adopted Barbara and then together they had Tommy Joe and Jennifer Kay. They made their home in Parker.

Donna worked at Holiday Manor in Osawatomie, West Mark Sewing factory, and Trident as a steel salesman. She then started an in-home daycare. In 2006, Donna moved to Osawatomie. She worked at Sonic as an assistant manager until she retired. After retirement, Donna helped her daughter Jennifer with her in-home daycare.

In her free time, Donna loved sewing. She made coats to sell with her daughter Barbara. Donna could make anything out of scrap pieces of material. She enjoyed crocheting, crafting and was skilled at drawing. Donna spent time camping, canning and hanging out with her sisters. She loved puppies and had many over the years. Most of all, Donna was a hard worker and never stopped.

She was a member of the Parker Methodist Church and the Eastern Star.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Gary Wayne Nickell, parents, siblings; Jay Meeker, Jeff Meeker, Gena Gansen and Jo Hampton.

Survivors include children Barbara (Bill) Smile of Lenexa, KS, Tommy Joe Nickell of Nevada, MO; and Jennifer (David Hastings) Nickell-Wilson of Osawatomie, KS; grandchildren Tiffany (Josh) Ross, Michael Platt, Garry Wayne (Candance) Wilson, Paige (Brant) Johnson, Blake Wilson, Tommy Nickell Jr., and Samantha (Kyle) Lamb; great-grandchildren Daniel Ross, Annabeth Ross, Bailie Wilson, Bryson Wilson, Oaklee Johnson and Ollie-Mae Johnson; along with nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, July 28, 2023, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home,

203 Main Street, Osawatomie, KS 66064. Graveside Service on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 10 a.m., Goodrich Cemetery, Evangeline Rd., Parker, KS 66072. More information at www.eddybirchard.com.

(Published in the Linn County Journal of July 28, 2023.)