Donice Holaway

Donice “Doni” Holaway, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away September 1, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Doni was born on February 9, 1939, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Reynold and Bernadette (Brownawell) Zimmerman. She was the oldest of three siblings and grew up on her parents’ farm near Wymore, NE. In 1960, she earned her teaching degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and began her career teaching in Ogallala, NE and later in Grant, NE. 

On August 12, 1961, Doni married Lyle Holaway. Together, they purchased Lyle’s grandfather’s home in Grant, furniture and all, for $5,200. The old house, now more than a century old, became the heart of their family and remained their home throughout their 54 years of marriage and up until 2022, when she moved to Colorado to live with her daughter, Calli, and son-in-law, Steve.

Doni and Lyle welcomed their daughter Devon through adoption in 1966, followed by their son Brian in 1968. They added to their family when their daughter, Calli, was born in 1971. Doni’s family remained at the center of her life, and in later years she treasured her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother.

Doni was a great spur-of-the-moment hostess at “The Cabin” at Lake McConaughy. Everyone was welcome, and everyone came after a hot day of swimming and skiing. Many cheeseburgers, fish, and sweets were served as people pulled in with their boats. There were baptisms and singing around the piano, while kids fished off the rocks. In the wintertime, there were ice-skating parties with hockey and tag. Doni always worked hard to make these golden times for her children.

Doni later found another way to serve her community through public service. From 1983 to 2002, she served as Perkins County Treasurer. Her years in the courthouse reflected the same qualities she brought to so many areas of her life: dedication, dependability, and a genuine commitment to the people of Perkins County.

Music was one of Doni’s greatest gifts and she shared it generously for nearly her entire life. She began playing as a church organist at just 14 years old and continued serving the church through music until 2022. Over the decades, she accompanied thousands of voices and instrumentalists, playing piano for church and school choirs, high school musicals and competitions, weddings, funerals, and countless special occasions. For many years, Doni was a familiar and beloved presence at Grant United Methodist Church. She never sought attention for herself; instead, she used her talent in quiet service to others. Those who knew Doni will remember her as a steady, gracious presence whose music became woven into the life of her church and community.

Although Doni’s career as a classroom teacher lasted only a few years, her love of teaching never left her. She found a renewed calling through leading Sunday School classes and Bible studies, where she shared both her knowledge and her deep faith. Her commitment to helping others learn God’s Word was unwavering, and many who studied with her spoke of her ability to make Scripture meaningful, understandable, and relevant to their lives.

Through her music, her teaching, her public service, her faith, and the quiet way she cared for those around her, Doni touched generations of people in Grant and beyond. Her life was one of faithful service, and the influence she leaves behind can be heard in the music she shared, seen in the people she taught and served, and felt most deeply by the family she loved.

Doni was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Douglas Holaway. She is survived by her children, Devon Holaway of Grant, Nebraska, Brian (Melanie) Holaway of Fort Myers, Florida, and Calli (Steve) Holaway of Monument, Colorado; her grandchildren, Tyson, Skyler, and Sage; her great-granddaughter, Alliyah; her brother, Leon (Carol) Zimmerman of Wymore, Nebraska; and her sister, Sondra Jones of Grant, Nebraska.

Services will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Grant United Methodist Church, with Pastor Spenser Johnson officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Doni’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared through Bullock-Long Funeral Home or sent to Calli Holaway, 3640 Range View Rd, Monument, CO 80132.  The service will be live-streamed through Bullock-Long Funeral Home bullocklongfuneralhome.com. 

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.