Donna L Hall

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

Donna was born on July 19, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the sixth child of Reinhold Gustaf Scheuneman and Johanna Marie (Christenson) Scheuneman. Donna was a 1945 graduate of Aitken High School, Aitken, MN.

Following graduation, Donna went to work in Minneapolis, Minnesota for AT&T for many years. When she wasn't working Donna's love for adventure found her traveling across the United States and Europe, sometimes with friends and sometimes alone. In 1950, while on vacation with friends in Itasca State Park in MN, she met her future husband, Benjamin Edward Hall Jr., who was also vacationing on a fishing trip with his best friend, William “Bill” Porter. After dating long-distance for 10 years, Donna gave Ben an ultimatum. If he didn’t propose to her, the relationship was over. Ben quickly proposed, and they were married on January 23, 1960, at Covenant Missionary Alliance Church in Minneapolis, MN. The temperature that day was 20 below zero. After a honeymoon fishing on Mille Lacs Lake in MN, Donna moved to the farm near Oregon, MO where Donna and Ben lived and farmed for 46 years before moving to Omaha, NE. Ben and Donna were the loving parents of two children, Michel Marie (Hall) Jones and Benjamin (Benny) Edward Hall III. The Lord took Benny home to be with Him on June 25, 1977. Through the agonizingly painful death of a child, Donna and Ben remained unwavering in their faith and trust in their sovereign God who can only do His Holy will.

Donna put her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young woman while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Every day, Donna would spend time reading God’s Word. Donna read the Bible through every year and encouraged others to do the same. She also completed Bible courses from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Being a part of a church with other believers was important to her.

Donna and Ben taught their children about the Lord and faithfully prayed for them daily. Donna taught Sunday School for many years. She also helped lead Good News Clubs in their home and shared the gospel in the fair ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship with her husband Ben and other Christian friends and family. Donna was a member of CrossPointe Community Church in St. Joseph, MO before moving to Omaha, NE. She was a member of Christ Community Church in Omaha, NE at the time of her passing.

In her later years, she participated in many activities at Christ Community Church.  Donna was active in Sunday School and Tuesday Senior Luncheons at church. She found a loving and supportive group of dear, dear friends there. Donna would drive her friends to and from church when she was still driving. Her family teased her that she was a 94-year-old Uber driver. Finally, at 94 years old, Donna gave up driving.

Donna enjoyed sewing, quilting, painting (Norwegian rosemaling), and for a time, even crafted rugs from a loom. She was an incredible cook, who loved baking and setting a beautiful table. Donna made the best dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, cobblers, pie crust, pies, and asparagus casserole. At Christmastime, the whole family made fattigman. Donna loved carrying on this Norwegian family tradition. Every spring, daisies, roses, peonies, lilies of the valley, and iris were seen in her beautiful flower gardens. A unique hobby for Donna while living on the farm was beekeeping. Every year, Donna grew wonderful produce in their garden. She also canned or froze fruit and vegetables to eat at a later time. She definitely had a green thumb. Donna faithfully helped care for their long rows of grapes and their orchard. For years, Donna would make gallons and gallons of apple cider with a water pressured press from the apples in their orchard. It was delicious!

Donna swam three days a week for 16 of the 18 years that she lived in Omaha, Nebraska with her family. In her spare time, she would work on Sudoku puzzles and table puzzles with her little white dog, Lily, sitting beside her. Donna was an avid reader. Even at 96 years old, she would still read a minimum of 4-8 books a week. Donna lived in the present, keeping up on the daily news. Most importantly, Donna was interested in her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives. She was so proud of them and all that they have accomplished. The greatest joy in her life was knowing that each grandchild had made a profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Donna dearly loved her family. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her kindness, love, and dedication to both her family and her Savior, will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Donna passed away peacefully at home in Omaha, NE on October 6, 2024, at the age of 96.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Reinhold Gustaf Scheuneman and Johanna Marie (Christenson) Scheuneman; by her loving husband of 49 1/2 years, Benjamin Edward Hall Jr.; her son, Benjamin (Benny) Edward Hall III; two brothers, Russell Erwin Scheuneman and Allen LeRoy Scheuneman; and five sisters, Ethel Lorraine (Scheuneman) With and her husband, Chuck With, Grace Helen (Scheuneman) Happel and her husband, Darel Happel, Lila Marie (Scheuneman) Miller, an infant sister, Delores Scheuneman, and Marvel Joan (Scheuneman) Jenks and her husband, Robert Jenks; brothers-in-law, Earle Marion Hall and his wife, Winona Mae (Cooper) Hall and John Bolton Hall and his wife, Caroline Pettigrew (Williams) Hall, who passed away a few days after Donna on October 9, 2024.

Donna leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory and loving legacy. She is survived by her daughter, Michel Marie (Hall) Jones, and her husband, Kevin Dwight Jones of Omaha, Nebraska; and her grandchildren, Johanna Marie Jones, Jennifer Michel (Jones) Johnson and her husband, Trevor Scott Johnson, Victoria Reagan Jones, and Noah Benjamin Jones and his wife, Samantha Sue (Clarkson) Jones, all of Omaha, Nebraska. Donna was also greatly blessed with three precious great grandchildren, Cade Benjamin Johnson, Eliza Jane Johnson, and Ezekiel Loren Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska, who brought her great joy and happiness. Donna is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at Chamberlain Funeral Home in Oregon, MO on October 16, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at Cowan Cemetery in nearby New Point, MO.

Memorials may be directed to CrossPointe Community Church Ministries, St. Joseph, MO or Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Littleton, Colorado.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15