Donna Arnett
On Jan. 1, 2023, at the age of 79, Donna Jean (Moorhead) Arnett peacefully passed into heaven while comforted by her family at Linden Court in North Platte, Neb. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and dementia approximately 10 years ago and never let her illnesses define her.
Donna was born to Olga and Homer Moorhead in North Platte on Nov. 27, 1943. She grew up on a farm south of Hershey, Neb., and attended Hershey Public School. Donna graduated as class Valedictorian in 1962 then attended Kearney State College.
On August 21, 1964, Donna was united in marriage to Charles William “Bill” Arnett at the Hershey Methodist Church. They moved to California where Donna attended Sonoma State College. After graduating with honors in 1969, they returned to Nebraska to be near family.
They settled in Wallace where Donna established and taught a K-12 art program for 35 years. Her students excelled in many local and statewide art contests and Donna received the outstanding Aviation Art Teacher Award and was honored with Art Educator of the Year in 2007.
Donna was a dedicated and loving Christian, active in the Wallace Methodist Church and later First United Methodist Church in North Platte. She was also a member of P.E.O., N.P. China Painters, and a Charter Member of the Wallace Community Lions Club. She volunteered to help her community and church in any way possible.
Wallace students remember Donna as a kind, gentle, caring, professional teacher who helped them develop their talents and self-esteem. Her husband, children and grandchildren, along with other family and friends, will miss her kind, giving, caring spirit. She will be remembered for her helping hand, respect of others, and her love of family, friends, her students, and the Class of 1962.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Olga and Homer Moorhead; infant sister, Darlene; in-laws, Charles and Betty Arnett; and brother-in-law, Jerry Ollo.
Donna is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill; their children, Jon (Sherri) Arnett of Bennington, Neb., and Jennifer (Chad) Monie of North Platte; her brothers, Billy (Jackie) Moorhead and Jack (Peggy) Moorhead of Hershey; grandchildren, Jake, Ryan, Sam and Cade Arnett, Josh and Anna Monie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Alan (Georgena) Arnett of Loveland, Colo., Ann Ollo of Houston, Texas, and Robert (Kathy) Arnett of Hershey; and many other family.
Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at First United Methodist Church with Pastors Michael Evans and Shanon Williams officiating. Burial followed in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation was 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers memorials are to Wallace Community Lions Club.