Donna M. Lord, 91, passed on September 1, 2026. She was born on October 11, 1934, in Oshkosh, WI, to Agnes E. (Hildebrandt) and Ferdinand Nikolaus.

Donna graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1952. She went on to work as a legal secretary until 1961, when she embarked on a grand adventure – one of many in her life – driving cross-country to California in her 1959 Plymouth Fury. She started a new career at Rockwell International in Newport Beach, working her way through the ranks during her 29 years of service. She worked with folks from around the world, learning a little of their language along the way.

She loved traveling, discovering new places and cultures and making new friends. She visited Canada, various locales in the Caribbean, England, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Spain, among others. She had the unique opportunity to see Cuba in the 1950s and again a few years ago.

Her hobbies also included photography and attending live theater. She doted upon her furry companions Puddy Cat, Art and Cali.

Upon retirement she returned to her beloved home of Oshkosh. She was a very active volunteer at the Oshkosh Senior Center. She was a tour escort for the Winnebago Seniors Tours for 13 years and co-hosted/co-produced “Senior Savvy” on Oshkosh Community Access Channel 10 for 5 years. She also spent 6 years on the Friends of Oshkosh Senior Center Board.

She was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh and served on the Leadership Team for 4 years.

Donna was a sharp, funny, lively and inspirational daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, wife and friend. Her life was a model of living fully, generously and graciously. She loved and was loved deeply.

She married Georgia Kilger on June 11, 1966, who preceded her in death on April 14, 1978. She married Wallace H. Lord on January 4, 1992. Wally passed on October 1, 1993.

She is also preceded in death by her parents, Agnes and Ferdinand; and her brother, James.

Donna is survived by her brother, Daniel Nikolaus (Beverly); nieces, Ann Herald (James), Suzanne Nikolaus and Roxanne Nikolaus; stepchildren, Kathleen Lord, Timothy Lord, Rodney Lord and Jennifer Lord.

Services will be held at the Evergreen Chapel, 1130 N Westfield St. Oshkosh, WI 54902 on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with visitation being from 10am until 11am and services to follow. She will be laid to rest at Lake View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Evergreen Foundation, Peace Lutheran Church or the Oshkosh Area Humane Society in her honor.