Eleanore Doner

Eleanore “Ellie” Doner, 101, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, peacefully passed away July 30, 2024, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Born July 28, 1923, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of John and Mary Buskala Johnson and the oldest of three on a Depression-era Homestead Farm. Ellie graduated from high school and went to work as a WWII Rosie the Riveter at Presto Industries in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She shared a loving union with her husband, Merchant Marine Officer Frank Doner, beginning Halloween Eve 1942…immediately upon his return to Birchwood, Wisconsin, from Murmansk, Russia, after his ship became a North Atlantic casualty. We still have his Halloween Eve ETA telegram. After a Halloween Eve wedding in Birchwood, Ellie spent eight years in South America before returning to Rice Lake in 1950; there, she worked as a dairy farmer while an employee at Woolworth’s 5&10 and finally became the owner/operator of The Starlight Motel. While at Woolworth’s, she readily assisted the migrant Latin potato pickers by serving as a bilingual shopping guide, as she spoke fluent Spanish. Upon retiring in 1982 and moving to Mountain Home, Ellie was widowed in August 1996. Known for her dedication to square dancing and her outgoing nature, Ellie touched the lives of many with her warm presence. Ellie embraced her faith, becoming an active Holy Cross Lutheran Church member. She also contributed to the community through her involvement with the American Legion Auxiliary. In her younger years, she enjoyed the camaraderie of groups like the Elks Ladies, Women of the Moose, and the Wisconsin Club. Her vibrant spirit and kind heart had a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

Eleanore’s legacy lives on through her son, Dennis (Nita) Doner of Bella Vista, AR; her grandchildren, Scott (Cathy) Doner and Todd (Julie) Doner; and her five great-grandchildren, Devin, Andrew, Anna Claire, Allie, and Dawson and numerous nieces/nephews and great-nieces/nephews. Her many friends will deeply miss her. She is now reunited in eternity with her parents, John and Mary Johnson; her beloved husband, Frank Doner; siblings Edna Eunice Johnson (Felino) de la Pena and Parland August (Linda) Johnson, and the many friends who have gone before.

A graveside service to honor Eleanore’s remarkable life will be 11:30 am, Wednesday, August 7, 2024, held at Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery in Mountain Home, Arkansas. In addition, a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the Morada Living Residences Chapel in Rogers, Arkansas. Those who wish to pay tribute to Ellie’s memory may make donations to Serenity, Inc, www.serenityinc.org. The arrangements are thoughtfully entrusted to Kirby & Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Mountain Home, Arkansas. For online condolences and expressions of sympathy, please visit www.kirbyandfamily.com. Ellie’s spirit continues to live on and shine brightly in our hearts as we cherish the beautiful memories she has left with us.