Donna Vogel

Donna Darlene (Brunholtz) Vogel, was born in Cairo, Nebraska to Herman Rudolph and Dorathea (Hamm) Brunholtz, on August 14th, 1934. In the 1920's her parents and four of her older siblings traveled from Bredtsedt Germany to Elis Island to the United States, and proudly became US citizens. They raised their family as such, in Cairo, Nebraska. Donna was the baby of the family with seven older siblings, and "Baby" became her nickname to those closest to her.

Donna married the love of her life, Joseph Oliver Vogel, on February 14th, 1951, at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. She followed her husband everywhere. By the time she was 17, Donna had been to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. When her husband was discharged from the Air Force, they decided to go back home to Nebraska, where he got a job working for the Union Pacific Railroad. His job took him all over the state of Nebraska. No matter where they roamed, Donna always supported him and helped him with the farm chores, like milking cows, and made every house they lived in a home.

Their marriage was blessed with two children; Clifford Eugene, born in 1953, and Constance Josephine, born in 1958.

When Donna and Joe decided to retire, they found a small farm north of Red Cloud, and made it their forever home. However, they were never really "retired", as they were always busy with grandkids and their horses, but the two were usually intertwined. In the 90's Donna became known as "The Wagon Master's Wife" when Joe got a job through the state leading historical wagon trains. And she was once again following her husband across the state of Nebraska, only this time he was on a horse leading a wagon train, and she was the cook.

She was almost always able to talk her beloved sister Marge into helping her, and for seven summers they did the wagon trains together. It was never a dull moment when those two sisters were together, but always a memorable one. Many fond memories were made with the family on those times of the Wagon Train days. Joe and Donna granted their family times in their lives that others only wish they could have, and memories that they will hold on to for the rest of theirs.

Eventually things slowed down when the grandkids grew up and moved away, but Donna always made sure she had time for her church, the Alter Society, and the Dapper Dozen. Donna always made sure that "The Farm" was always the place to be for the holidays and family get togethers, and a place to call home for whenever her family needed it. There was always enough room at the table for any friends or guests who stopped by during supper time. Anyone was welcome at their table, and they raised their family to keep that in their hearts.

Donna was reunited with her family, peacefully in her sleep at her forever home, with her son and daughter nearby. Preceding her in death, and welcoming her home was her husband Joe, great grandson Justin Bichel, her parents Rudy and Dora Brunholtz, mother and father-in-law William J. "George" and Faye Vogel. She was also reunited with her sister Carla Fredrickson, sister Carole Wilhemina Mabee, sister and brother-in-law Cecelia and Ed Belk, brother and sister- in-law John and Elsie Brunholtz, brother and sister-in-law Rudolph and Georgia Brunholtz, sister and brother-in-law Marge and Ray Long, brother-in-law George Rief, brother- and sister-in-law Bill and Pat Twehous, Brother- and sister-in-law Norm and Janette Weakland.

She is survived by her son Clifford Vogel, her daughter Connie Jo Clark (Vogel), granddaughters Donna-Marie Wilson, Michelle (Doug) Wentworth, Anna Brooks, Codi Jo (William) Thompson. Also, her great grandchildren; Kayce Clark, Kaleb Witter, Crysta Josephine Hersh, Aiden Martin, Natalie Wilson, Madison Brooks, and Samuel Hobbs. And there are a great many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends that are still around to remember Donna and what a wonderful person she was.

Donna was one of a kind, and words cannot express how much she will be missed.

The Rosary will be recited 7:00 pm, Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Cloud. The funeral service will be 11:00 am, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Frank officiating.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com