Donajean Lorene Richards Sensel, age 97, went straight into the arms of God and then into the arms of her beloved husband Norris on July 16, 2020. Donajean was born in the Humboldt/Dawson, Nebraska area April 3, 1923, to S. E. and Tillie (Heim) Richards. The doctor could not get there so she was delivered by her dad.
In 1930 the family moved to a farm north of Culbertson. The family traveled across Nebraska in one of the first motor homes built. Donajean attended country school riding her pony, Topsy, to school each morning. On the farm she helped milk cows by hand, work in the fields, dress chickens and bake pies. During the war, Donajean worked at the Army Air Base in McCook.
On June 5, 1945, she was united in marriage to Norris Sensel at the family farm. For a short time the newlyweds lived in Mountain Home, Idaho, where Norris was stationed. They returned to Culbertson where Donajean lived the rest of her days here on Earth. She loved staying home and taking care of her family. Her passion was sewing, and she made many garments as well as altering many more.
She was the last living charter member of VFW Post Auxiliary 6219 and served in many positions. She was a member of Culbertson Trinity United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death were her husband Norris, her parents, brother Harlan and sister Ramona and great-grandson Cody.
She is survived by her children Richard (Roma) Sensel and Maridee Lyster, 5 grandchildren, 11 1/2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. (CT), Wednesday morning, July 22, 2020 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Interment will follow services in the Culbertson Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Herrmann - Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook; the family will be present from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to the Culbertson VFW Auxiliary 6219 or the Culbertson Ambulance Fund. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.