Donna M. Bedlan

A Funeral Service for Donna will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron, Nebraska with Pastor Keith Brozek presiding. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Graveside Services will be held following the Funeral Service at the Belvidere Cemetery in Belvidere, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to Grace Lutheran Church or to Thayer County Health Services. Donna Mae Bedlan, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on April 9, 2025, at Hebron, Nebraska. She was blessed to have lived 94 wonderful years. Donna was born on a farm near Alexandria, NE, on August 19, 1930, to William E. and Anna (Wegele) Achtemeier. As one of seven children, she grew up on the family farm. Donna attended the District 77 country school and graduated from high school in 1947. After a brief stint teaching country school, she married Frank D. (Bud) Bedlan on December 14, 1947. They lived near Alexandria for a short time before moving to a farm near Carleton. In 1956, they settled on a farm east of Belvidere, where they raised their three daughters, Vicki, Toni, and Dawn. Donna and Bud operated a Grade A dairy farm for many years and were proud to have been honored multiple times as the top milk producers in the district. In addition to milking cows and managing the household, Donna helped with fieldwork and maintained a large garden, canning and freezing much of the produce. After retiring from dairy farming in 1987, Bud passed away on December 15, 1989. Donna remained on the farm until November 1997, when she moved to her private island in Hebron, NE. There, she continued to raise beautiful flowers that were enjoyed by many. She often saved seeds from her favorites to grow the following year. Donna also enjoyed crocheting intricate doilies, solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading romance novels, shopping, and visiting casinos. After moving to Hebron, Donna became an active member of the Grace Lutheran Alter Guild, served as the Church Women’s Treasurer, participated in the Women’s Achievement Club, and volunteered at Things & Stuff for the hospital. Donna's daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She cherished every moment spent with her family. Donna is survived by her children, Vicki L. (Vaughn) Hinrichs of Belvidere, NE, and Dawn L. (Jey) Johnson of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren Shawn Hinrichs of Phoenix, AZ, Travis (Jennifer) Hinrichs of Grimes, IA, Kristen (Tracy) Henke of Treynor, IA, and Nicole (Michael) Frank of Centennial, CO; and great-grandchildren Reese and Hannah Frank, Samantha and Brett Hinrichs, and Abe Henke, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; daughter, Toni; parents, William and Anna; and siblings – Harry, Lillian, Edna, Vera, Vernon and Marie.

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Donna M. Bedlan

August 19, 1930 - April 9, 2025