Donna Jean Norris

PIERCE -- A visitation for Donna Jean (Hornik) Norris, age 87, of Lincoln, formerly of Pierce, will be held on Monday, July 6, at 6:00 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church located at 7105 Cass Ave., Denton, NE 68339. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 7, at 10:30 AM, also at St. Mary Catholic Church in Denton with a luncheon to follow. Father Matthew Eickhoff will be presiding. A public viewing and open house will take place on Wednesday, July 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierce, NE. Followed by a private family burial at Prospect View Cemetery, Pierce, NE. Donna passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2nd at The Grace Space in Lincoln, NE, surrounded by family and held in love. Stonacek Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Donna was born on August 9, 1938, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to George and Mildred (Gruchow) Hornik. The second of two children, Donna was curious, kind, and full of heart. Raised in Gering, Grand Island and rural Plainview, she embraced farm life and the close-knit community. She graduated from Plainview High School in 1956 and soon attended Omaha School of Commerce. Thanks to a well-timed double date, Donna met her future husband, William “Bill” Lyle Norris. They married on December 27, 1958, sharing 41 years together before his passing. As a military wife, Donna navigated the challenges of Army life with immense strength, relocating her family 19 times across Bill’s 21 years of service. Wherever the military sent them, she created a home full of warmth for her daughters, Jolene and Julie. In 1974, while Bill was stationed overseas, Donna chose to move closer to her family, and settled in Pierce, Nebraska. She worked at Cones State Bank for 22 years and actively served in her church and community. In 2012, Donna moved to El Cajon, California to live near Julie’s family, before returning to Nebraska in 2024 to live close to Jolene’s family. In both places, she cherished making priceless memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grounded in faith, resilience, and gentle grace, Donna lived a purposeful life centered on love. She was a thoughtful, generous person who found beauty in simple moments and took great delight in the company of others. Her remarkable work ethic and unwavering faith defined her, yet nothing compared to the absolute pride and joy she felt for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friends. Outside of her family life, she found happiness in playing cards, writing poetry, journaling, sewing, cooking, volunteering, and traveling. These passions brought her great fulfillment, but her ultimate joy was always found in the people she loved. Donna was a past member of Pierce United Methodist Church and the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Donna is survived by her daughter Jolene (Gary) Schleppenbach of Lincoln, NE, daughter Julie (Brent) Hill of El Cajon, CA, grandson Nicholas (Mindee) Schleppenbach of Lincoln, grandson Eric Schleppenbach of San Diego, CA, granddaughter Jamison (Connor) Ketter of Lincoln, grandson Jacob (Madeline) Schleppenbach of Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter Shayne Hill of Perth, Australia, granddaughter Jade Hill of El Cajon, CA, great-grandchildren: Weslie, Mack, and Nellie Schleppenbach of Lincoln, NE, great-grandchildren: Mia, Noa, and Elsie Ketter of Lincoln, NE, great-grandson: Rowen Schleppenbach of Phoenix, AZ, sister-in-law Lavonne Hornik of Norfolk, niece Elizabeth (Robert) Davis of Norfolk, niece Marie (Dwight) Reuter of Norfolk, nephew Richard Hornik of Norfolk, NE, along with generations of great-and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Mildred Hornik, husband William “Bill” Norris, brother Nivan Hornik, niece Ginger (Hornik) Armstrong, great-nephew Garrett Hornik, and dear friend Marilyn Parmenter. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Donna by doing something kind for someone in need—cook a meal, write a note, or lend a hand. That’s what she would have done. Donations may also be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After 21 moves, Donna has made her final journey. She is home. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Donna Jean Norris

August 9, 1938 - July 2, 2026