Donna Nadine (Braesch) Rocker, 80

(Photo)

Donna Nadine (Braesch) Rocker, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, unexpectedly passed away on May 12, 2015. Donna suffered a fatal infection after a planned surgery in Grass Valley, California. Those who were fortunate to share love, life and learning with Donna Rocker will forever be blessed by her giving spirit, zest for living, love of family and friends, dedication to learning, eye for beauty, unwavering faith and enduring positive outlook.

Donna Nadine Braesch was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 21, 1935. She was the second daughter of Hans and Anita Braesch. Donna grew up on farms in southeastern Nebraska where she learned the art of cooking for large groups and creating perfect pie crust. Donna graduated from Blair High School in 1952 and completed her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate at Midland College.

On New Year’s Eve 1954 while visiting a college classmate in Hildreth, Nebraska, Donna met the love of her life, Merlin Henry (Rock) Rocker. Donna and Rock were married on June 26, 1955, in Fremont, Nebraska. They began their passionate life of travel and adventure together when Donna crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship to join Rock in England where he was stationed by the U.S. Air Force.

Donna and Rock described their marriage as three full lifetimes. They were 11 years as a couple before adding their daughters, Sheila Elizabeth in 1966 and Tatianya Nadine in 1968. They led a fast-paced lifetime as the Rockers 4 extended the adventures through parenthood, and finally the empty next and time for golf, travel and visiting their daughters’ families and friends far and wide. Rock was taken early from Donna on June 12, 2002, after an extended illness through which Donna cared for him in the purest example of unconditional love and support.

Donna was a lifelong educator. She taught first graders in England; Omaha, Nebraska; Edwards AFB, CA; and Grass Valley, CA for over 30 years. She touched many children’s lives. Most precious to Donna were her grandchildren, Katerina Elizabeth Rocker Heppe (19), Peter Hans Rocker Helle (17) and Max Brandon Rocker Katz (3).

An avid golfer, Red Hatter, bridge player and pie baker, Donna enjoyed rich friendships and a very busy social calendar. She traveled annually with friends from Blair High School and planned frequent adventures with friends from Midland college. She was a member of the congregation at Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, for 39 years and volunteered at Interfaith Food Ministry, Hospitality House and Habitat for Humanity.

Donna will be deeply missed by many. She is survived by her grandchildren and daughters, Sheila and Chris Rocker Heppe of McKinleyville, CA, and Tatianya and Michael Katz of Brooklyn, NY; her sister, Shirley and Dick Robeson of Blair, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Elvera and Randy Dallman of Franklin, Nebraska, nieces and nephews, Clark Robeson, Curtis and Dayleen Robeson, Sheryl and Jim Aerhart, Dudley and Linda Dallman, Bradley and Amy Dallman and all their children; and numerous friends, colleagues, and students who each know how special they were to Donna because she expressed her love so fully and generously.

Her spirit now joins her cherished husband, Rock Rocker, parents Hans and Anita Braesch, in-laws John and Vera Rocker and niece Holly Robeson. Donna will be laid to rest next to Rock in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Hildreth, Nebraska, on Saturday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Trinity Lutheran in Hildreth.

To honor Donna’s dedication to teaching and learning and her enduring ties to lifelong relationships from her education, donations can be made to the Donna Braesch Rocker Memorial Scholarship fund for students from Blair High School attending Midland University. Please send donations to: Midland University – Scholarships Office, 900 North Clarkson, Fremont, NE 6805. Or donate online at http://www.midlandu.edu/give-now.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~