Donna Marie Strnad

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Funeral service to take place at 1:00pm at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Gordon Harper officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Immediately following please join the family for fellowship and a luncheon provided by the ladies of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 203 West Flying Circle Drive.Donna Marie (Krause) Strnad passed away peacefully in her daughter's home on November 2, 2014, in Gillette, Wyoming, of natural causes. She was 66 years of age.Donna was born on June 17, 1948, in Phillipsburg, Kansas. She was the only child of Albert and Alice (Stapel) Krause. Donna grew up and attended school in Phillipsburg, graduating with the class of 1966. At a young age she began working as a waitress at Martha's, alongside her Mother and Aunt. This is where she would meet Earl Strnad, the railroader whom she would later marry. On June 16, 1968 Earl and Donna were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg. The couple then moved to Fairbury, Nebraska. During summers and holidays their little home grew to include Earl's 3 daughters from his previous marriage. There Donna was busy adjusting to life as a homemaker and a stepmother to Rene Lynn, Rochelle Lee, and Redena Lynette. Soon their family would grow by one more as their daughter; Pamela Sue was born June 8, 1972.Over the years Earl's daughters married and moved away. In 1980, after the decline of the Rock Island they found themselves moving to Gillette, Wyoming for another railroad job. There Donna worked as an apartment manager and spent her free time collecting antiques and selling crafts. Eventually they would move across the state after an injury forced Earl to retire early. After their daughter married, they were free to travel a bit more and together created western crafts which they sold at shows across Wyoming and Montana.Years later they once again found their lives turned upside down when their beloved home was destroyed by fire. With her health declining, the decision was made to move back to Gillette with their daughter, Pam.From an early age Donna was quite involved with her church. She was baptized as an infant, then in 1962 confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg. She Taught Sunday school at American Lutheran Church of Fairbury, and later attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gillette. Although Donna was very private in her faith, she felt it was very important to instill spiritual vaules in her daughter. Because of her devotion, those beliefs are now being passed down to the next generation. Donna enjoyed buying and selling antiques, with a special love for Depression glass. This would be the source of many wonderful memories with her husband and daughter. When they were not at auctions, they were creating and selling crafts. Over the years they created everything from pretty rope and yarn wall decorations, to the western skulls and Mandela's they created while living in Deaver, Wyoming. Although it brought in a bit of extra money, more than anything it else it was just spending time together doing something they all loved. In her younger years, before her congestive heart failure made it difficult to stand; Donna was always in the kitchen cooking one thing or another. It was always a labor of love and something she made look easy. She was always making some delicious dessert, including her famous apple pie. In our house you either got a slice of it the day it was made or you didn't get any! Donna was devoted to her family and her greatest joy came from being close to her grandchildren. She was never about to miss an opportunity to spoil them rotten, despite her daughters disapproval! She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Alice Krause; and her stepdaughter, Redena Wurm. She is survived by her husband, Earl Strnad; daughter, Pamela Riley of Gillette, WY; stepdaughters, Rene German and Rochelle Jones both of Agenda, KS; 11 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.The family wishes to thank all who have reached out to them in this difficult time. The outpouring of love and support from friends has been such a comfort to the family.If desired, donations may be made to a memorial fund established to benefit Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg. This church held special meaning for Donna as it is not only the church in which she was baptized, confirmed, and married, but also because her father helped to build it. Memorials and Condolences may be sent in Donna's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716 or via website: www.gillettememorialchapel.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716