Donna Lee (Schlueter) Marlatt

Donna Lee (Schlueter) Marlatt was born in Ainsworth, NE on December 7, 1935 to Lee Schlueter and Madonna (Saxton) Schlueter. She attended a rural elementary school south of Wood Lake, NE, graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1953, and attended one year at Doane College before attaining her cosmetology license in 1954.

On May 29, 1955 Donna Lee married Kenneth Marlatt in Ainsworth and to this union were born two children, Mary Ann and Timothy. The Marlatts spent their married life ranching on their ranch south of Wood Lake. They retired to Long Pine, NE in 2010. Her last few years were spent at the Parkside Manor in Stuart, NE.

Donna Lee was an entrepreneur and was always using her talents/ideas to support the family and ranch (sometimes creating more work than additional income). She was an artist creating pictures from the everyday Sandhills scenes around her. She also found ceramics fulfilling and owned a ceramic studio in Ainsworth from 1971-1977. You could frequently find her showing and sharing her talent at local fairs. She taught Sunday School (Wood Lake Union Church/Congregational Church of Ainsworth) and Kindergarten at the Wood Lake Public School.

Donna Lee made time to help others - giving haircuts, sewing clothing, sharing food with those who needed them. She was always up for a game of cards, watching her favorite sports teams on TV, or sharing a laugh with her dry sense of humor. She was an avid gardener and bird watcher. She appreciated the nature around her which is reflected in her art. Donna Lee was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Sandhills Painters Guild.

Donna Lee passed away on September 29, 2025 at Parkside Manor. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Marlatt; her parents, Lee and Madonna (Saxton) Schlueter; her sister, Patricia (Schlueter) Seagren; her father and mother-in-law, Wilson and Marie (Esterly) Marlatt; her brother and sister-in-law, Claude and Yvonne (Marlatt) Reyman; and nephew, Cory Reyman. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann (Marlatt) Brown; her son, Tim Marlatt and daughter-in-law, Kim (Prusia) Marlatt; her grandchildren Matthew Brown, Amber Brown, Autumn (Gandt) Brown, Rick Marlatt and Sara (Marlatt) Hoffschneider; daughters-in-law, Jennifer (Weiss) Marlatt and Itzehel (Sakar Garcia) Brown; sons-in-law, Jeff Gandt and Jud Hoffschneider; and great-grandchildren, Emerson Brown, Gavin Marlatt, Charlotte Marlatt, Maisie Brown, and Canek Brown. Donna Lee is also survived by her brother-in-law, Charles Seagren; nieces, Lynda (Reyman) Granfield, Chris (Seagren) Boever, Kathy (Seagren) Ally; and nephew, Jon Seagren.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 in the Wood Lake Union Church with Pastor Andrew Utecht as the officiant. Music was provided by Clarabelle Kenner with the congregation singing “The Old Rugged Cross,” “In The Garden” and “Amazing Grace.” Honorary Urn Bearers were: All of Donna Lee’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. A Private Family Inurnment preceded the memorial service in the East Park Cemetery at Ainsworth. Memorials were suggested to the family in Donna Lee’s name for a future designation. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of the arrangements.

A