Donna Jean Eckhoff, of North Platte, died at home surrounded by her
family on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the age of 54, after a brave
battle with cancer.

Donna was born January 1, 1964, to Johnie Malion, Sr. and Helen Mae
(German) Clair, the first New Year’s baby born at St. Mary’s Hospital in
North Platte.  She grew up in North Platte where she went to school and
had perfect attendance from kindergarten through 6th grade.  Donna
attended North Platte High School and later received her GED.  She went
on to earn her CNA certification then worked at Bethesda Care Center in
Sutherland.

On June 29, 1991, she was united in marriage to the love of her life,
Terry Lee Eckhoff, at the Sutherland United Methodist Church.  The
couple lived in Sutherland then moved to Haxtun, Colorado for a while
before returning to Sutherland and eventually North Platte.  Since Terry
drove a semi, they enjoyed going over-the-road, doing a lot of
sightseeing together, and Donna learned to drive the semi.  She and
Terry were married only a few years when he died of cancer in 1999.

Donna went on to work at various places including J.C. Penny’s, Happy
Heart, Employer Unity, Hospitality Inn, Hampton Inn, Herberger’s, Gary’s
Super Foods, North Platte Public Schools and Mid-Plains Community
College.  She was a member of the Sutherland United Methodist Church and
Relay for Life.

Donna is survived by her sister, Janet (Robert) Vath, of Sutherland;
brothers, Steven (Beth) Clair and Johnie ‘Jack’ Clair, Jr., of North
Platte and Jim (Brenda) Clair, of Maxwell; 8 nieces and 5 nephews; 8
great-nieces and 11 great-nephews; and other family.

Along with her husband, Terry, she was preceded in death by her parents,
Johnie and Helen Clair; nephew Robert ‘Bobby’ Vath, Jr.; and special
aunt, Cay Schaffer.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, November 12, 2018, at the
Sutherland United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp
officiating.  Burial will follow in the Paxton Cemetery. Visitation will
be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial
Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences
may also be shared at odeanchapel.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorials
are suggested to the Gift of Hope to help others battling cancer.