Donna Jo Smith

Donna Jo Smith, age 89 of Albion, NE, died on December 25, 2023, at home with family members present.

A public visitation will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE followed by a wake service at 7:00 p.m.

Click here for video of the Celebration of Life.

Please see the photo tab to the left to view the Celebration of Life paper program.

Many years ago, Donna was asked by her 8-year-old niece, "When you die, do you want to get buried, get burned, or go for science?" Donna had already chosen to "go for science."  She donated her body to the Anatomical Board of Nebraska for medical education.  (Once a teacher, always a teacher).

Memorials may be sent to the family for further direction, or to the Albion Education Foundation to support special education projects and/or the Olson Nature Preserve funding. The foundation's address is P.O. Box 45, Albion, NE 68620.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Donna, the daughter of Joe and Caroline (Harder) Wilson, was born at home in Albion.  She attended Albion Public Schools, graduating in 1952. She earned a B.A. from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE and received her secondary education certificate at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  Donna worked toward a master's degree in special education at the University of Northern Colorado.

Donna was united in marriage to Norman L. Smith, Sr. in Haines, AK in October, 1966.

Donna taught in Lincoln, NE, Skagway, AK, Haines, AK, Alliance, NE and in the Albion schools. She taught elementary grades, remedial reading, and special education, and served as elementary resource teacher in Albion from 1975-1992.  She cared passionately about her students and even in recent years received feedback about the positive influence she had on their lives.  She was an advocate and practitioner of the Gentle Teaching method of working with special education students.  Her gentle and caring approach extended to every child she knew.  Donna never met a child she didn't like.

In retirement she and her husband enjoyed traveling. They made many trips to Alaska to visit old friends and spend time with Norm's sons, Norm Jr. and Carl, and their families. Donna was a beloved stepmother and grandmother.  She was also a "second mother" to her nieces and nephews growing up in Nebraska: Joe and Jill Anderson, and Cam, Nancy, Pat, and Matt Young.

Donna was active in the Albion History and Art Club and the VIPS (Visually Impaired Peer Support) group.  In her teaching years she was a member of the International Reading Association and the Council for Exceptional Children.

She is survived by stepsons: Norman (Suzanne) Smith, Jr. of Haines, AK and Carl (Marsha) Smith of Sequim, WA; step-grandchildren: Janine (Ryan) Wilkinson and sons Owen and Alaric of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Isobel Smith of Seattle, WA; Alex Smith of San Antonio, TX; and Kevin Smith of Tulsa, OK; sisters: Nancy Gilliland (Ray Kawaguchi) of Omaha, NE; Barbara (Bill) Anderson of Omaha, NE; Kathy (Larry) Young of Albion, NE; their children, and other relatives and friends, including her much-loved caregivers, the first of which was her dear Joyce.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Norman L. Smith, Sr.