Donald Louis Donjon, 89
Donald Louis Donjon was born on November 8, 1936, at Imperial Community Hospital in Nebraska, to Louis and Lenna Donjon. Don (89) passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, with family by his side. He was the third of five children and was raised alongside his Aunt Betty. Don spent his early years at the homestead outside Champion, Nebraska, and attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade. His parents later relocated to a farm near Imperial where Don attended Chase County High School. He learned the value of hard work early. He farmed with his father and uncle in the 50s, and went on to make farming his lifelong career.
While traveling by bus to Denver for work, Don met the love of his life, Marilyn Arlene Woodhams. They married on December 9, 1956, in Ovid, Colorado, and began their life together in Nebraska before settling in Lamar, where they raised four children: Sharon Kay, Kathy Jo, Steven Lawrence, and Jeffrey Allen. In 1982, they moved to Marilyn’s family farm in Ovid, Colorado, where they spent the next 43 years. Don farmed in both Colorado and Nebraska. He was known for his inventive spirit and mechanical skills. He provided mechanic and welding services in the area, raised livestock in town, built a heavy-duty trailer to haul his tractor between states, designed and sold clay pigeon throwers, and could fix nearly anything.
Don and Marilyn loved to make memories with family. They took annual trips to Estes Park when the kids were little, once they even spent a winter there while Don worked as a mechanic. A highlight for Don in his later years was traveling a portion of Route 66 and visiting the Marsh Arch Bridge and Baxter Springs.
Don was a free spirit; everything was fun when Donnie was around. He loved to play little pranks and keep everyone on their toes. He was a gifted woodworker, creating toys, name puzzles, and treasured keepsakes, including rare wooden banks made with old post office box doors. An animal lover at heart, Don adored his dogs, cats, ducks, and chickens. In later years, he enjoyed gardening, restoring vehicles, woodworking, and watching westerns. He often joked that he wanted to grow up to be Clint Eastwood. He restored a 1951 Chevy pickup, earning multiple car-show awards. Above all, Don cherished his family and loved spending time with them, especially hosting holiday gatherings at the farm with Marilyn.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Marilyn; his parents; his brother Glen; and his sister Rita. He is survived by sisters Mary Ellen Smith, Barb Kuehn (DuWayne), and Betty Mueller; daughters Sharon (Rodney) Vernon and Kathy (Garland) Green; sons Steven (Pat) Donjon and Jeff Donjon; and grandchildren Jamie (Martin) Ludi, Sierra (Camden) Green, Tevis Green, Daniel Vernon, and Keegan Donjon.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family celebration will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.