Donna Burge

Donna Burge, 78, of Madrid, passed away on March 2, 2024, at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha.

Donna was born on July 26, 1945, in Grant, Nebraska, to Theodore "Ted" and Mary (Schreiter) Heinemann. She graduated from Madrid High School in 1963 and then attended beauty school in North Platte.

On May 21, 1966, Donna married Butch Burge at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant. The couple made their home in Imperial before moving to Madrid in 1972. Donna and Butch were blessed with four children, Kathleen, Jerod, Karma and Julie. She operated Donna's Beauty Shop and worked alongside Butch clerking for Burge Auction. Later Butch and Donna obtained their real estate licenses and established Burge Auction and Realty.

At the center of her life were faith and family. She cherished every moment spent with her kids and grandkids, marking the years with several worn-out cars from traveling to their sporting events. A lover of sewing and embroidery, Donna often found herself immersed in these crafts late into the night, especially during her children's younger years. She also loved gardening and canning produce. She did not eat the bread of idleness and was a wonderful example to her children. She loved baking and cooking and had a particular fondness for clothes and shoes. Donna ran a tight ship, but it was always steered with love.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Mary; infant brother, Dale; brothers-in-law, Wayne, Darrell, and Gerald Burge; John Vlasin and Ivor Bunting.

Survivors include her husband, Butch of Madrid; her children, Kathleen Dietlein (Ken Kohmetscher) of Grant, Jerod (Ann) Burge of Elkhorn, Karma (Doug) Yantzie of York, Julie (Bryan) Sestak of Grant; grandchildren, Natasha (Taylor) Lake, Jesse (Paige Smith) Kraus, Jaden Dietlein, Gavin Kohmetscher, Derrick Burge, Bronson Burge, Delaney Burge, Ryan Nelson, Makaleigh (Jon) Kohlscheen, Madison (Ben) Wotipka, Matthew Sestak, Mitchell Sestak, Evan Sestak, and Clara Scheunert (exchange student); great-granddaughters, Jessa Hamilton, Adeline Lake, and Harper Lake; siblings, Bernadette Vlasin, Gary (Teresa) Heinemann, John (Sandy) Heinemann, Bernard (Pat) Heinemann; in-laws, Dale (Sharon) Burge, JoAnn Bunting, Nancy Burge and Rachel Burge; along with many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Donna's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Funeral mass will be on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10 AM at our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant with Father Thomas Bush as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Madrid Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 3 PM until 5 PM at the Bullock Long Funeral Home in Grant. Rosary and Wake Service will be at 6:30 PM on Wednesday at the church.

Bullock Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.