Donna Fae Russell Brase, age 93, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away on February 18, 2020 at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Donna was born on April 11, 1926 in Valparaiso, Nebraska to Oris Fay and Eva Merle (Betts) Russell.
Donna moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in 1931. She graduated from Grand Island High School with the Class of 1943. Donna moved to North Platte, Nebraska in 1944 where she worked for Bell Telephone Company until 1952. On August 8, 1948, Donna married Eugene W. Brase at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Platte. Donna and Gene owned and operated Brase Distributing for 49 years. Donna also helped keep the books until 1980.
Donna will be remembered for her servant's heart. Over the next 40 years, Donna volunteered at the Thrift Center, the Senior Center, and spent countless hours volunteering for RSVP (Ready to Serve Volunteer Program) in North Platte. Donna and Gene were recipients of the Leonard Hirschfeld Award in 1993 and Donna was most recently awarded the Buffalo Bill Cody Volunteer Award.
Survivors include sons, Scott (Mary Collins and Mary's son, Keaton) Brase of Grants Pass, Oregon and Brett (Jill) Brase of Fort Collins, Colorado; grandchildren Alison (Josh) McGinley, Sarah (Cody) Knobel, and Jack Brase, all of Fort Collins, Colorado; great-grandchildren Everly and Nora McGinley; a sister, Clarice Barrett of North Platte; and several other family members and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene; and a brother, Dale.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Thrift Store, Senior Center, or to RSVP, and can be sent to Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
A private family service has been planned, but those wishing to sign the register book may do so on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, 421 West 4th Street in North Platte, from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.