Dona Jane Neby, 87 of Cumberland quietly passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in her home.

Dona was born on January 30, 1934 to Arthur and Theresa Johnson of rural Chetek, WI.

She was the second oldest in a family of eight who lived in several houses in the Barron County area. She was married to Warren Neby on September 20 , 1954. They raised six children on the family farm in Comstock, WI.

Dona is survived by her children, Dan (Dorothy) Neby of Duluth, Karen (Mark) Jansen of Menomonie, Teresa (Eric) Lind of St Paul, Dolly Neby of Chetek, Quentin (Tenille) Neby of Inver Grove Heights and Jolene (Tim) Wagner of Nisswa, 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild, sisters Carolyn Cizek, Leona Puppe and Betty (Eric) Rockow, brother Bob (Delores) Johnson, three stepsisters, Arveena Borgen, Laverna Thompson and Jean Labude, and numerous nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, three sisters, Millie Christianson, Arlene Skjerly and Judy Hanson, and stepbrothers: Woodrow, Lawrence, and Douglas Lundholm. Dona and Warren welcomed in many foster children who benefited from their love and wisdom.

Dona lost her father to polio at a young age and was working to help support her family by the age of 14. She worked as nanny, cook and housekeeper for various families, had a short stint in a soda shop in Arizona and worked in a Dairy Bar and later as a phone operator in Rice Lake. After marrying Warren, she moved to his family's farm and spent the next chapter of her life being the best partner he could have asked for as they built the business together and raised their children. Though the cooking, washing, gardening and chores filled her days, she still found time to teach Sunday school, help with the local 4-H club, serve at church and join her friends in the Homemakers Club. The grandkids learned to cook under her tutelage and she was their biggest fan in all of their endeavors. She was well loved by all who knew her, and always had time, coffee and goodies ready for anyone who stopped by. She was a voracious reader and the house was always filled with books. She and Warren were bit by the travel bug and had many trips across the ocean, including China and Norway. The memories of all those adventures were precious to her. She and Warren shared 50 bountiful years together.

Dona worked at the Cumberland Bakery for many years, and was involved with the local Kinship program, bringing kids back into the house again. Warren and Dona built their retirement home on the hill within sight of the family farm. She loved it there, overlooking the fields and farms for miles, the beautiful sunsets and the dining room windows that provided light to her beautiful plants. She loved to spend time with friends, help at church, play scrabble at the library on Tuesdays and be surrounded by family every holiday. Though her life slowed down considerably in the last year, she still made sure there were meals made, cleaning done, books to read and cookies in the freezer. There were safe visits and virtual visits with family and friends. We were blessed with many hugs, long talks, word games and stories as we spent time with her, a time we will always treasure. She will be greatly missed.

In honoring the church's COVID 19 precautions, there will be attendance limitations at the time of the service. Dona's service will be recorded and available to be seen through the First Lutheran Church's Facebook page.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, May 7, 2021, at First Lutheran Church in Cumberland with Pastor Tim Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Cemetery, rural Cumberland, WI. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 AM the day of the service. Masks will be required at the church for all in attendance.

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.

Last Update: Apr 29, 2021 1:19 pm CDT