Donna Jean Nichols
August 29, 1954 ~ January 3, 2026
Donna J. Nichols, age 71, Brandon, SD, went home peacefully to Jesus on January 3, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD, following a long and courageous battle with chronic pain and COPD. Donna’s faith was an important part of her life, and her family finds comfort knowing she is now healed and resting in the arms of her Savior.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, SD, with a Time of Sharing beginning directly after. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls.
Donna Jean Stelzer was born on August 29, 1954, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Robert and Agnes “Tokey” (Jellema) Stelzer.
Donna took pride in her work and personal accomplishments. She received her GED from Turnabout in 1986, a milestone she was very proud of. She was employed at Brown Drug from 1986 to 1993; a job she often said was her favorite. She later worked as an insurance clerk at Kreisers Inc. from 1993 until her retirement in 2009, where she was known for her dedication and attention to detail.
One of Donna’s most treasured experiences was a trip to Jerusalem in 2006, where she was baptized in the Jordan River—an event she held close to her heart and spoke of often.
Donna found happiness in life’s simple pleasures and in her own creative ideas. She had a great imagination and delighted in coming up with quirky inventions and clever solutions to everyday problems. She often joked that she could give you more than a hundred uses for a clothespin, a reflection of her practical creativity and playful mind. She also enjoyed shopping and selling on eBay, antiquing, fishing, and treasure-hunting at rummage sales. One of her favorite pastimes was working on puzzles, and she could often be found pulling weeds in the garden, always with a bright smile. Donna also had a playful spirit and loved playing Super Nintendo, especially her favorite game, Zombies Ate My Neighbors.
She loved music, especially Neil Diamond, and was overjoyed to see him perform in concert during the final tour of his career. Donna also loved watching movies, particularly classic comedies from the 1980s and early 1990s, which brought her endless laughter and comfort.
A woman of deep faith and distinctive charm, Donna was known for her favorite saying, “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much!” Her passion for cleanliness and order was unmatched, and she took great pride in maintaining a tidy home. She also enjoyed watching Court TV and Fox News and was a devoted Minnesota Vikings fan, faithfully sporting her Vikings gear on game days.
Donna is survived by her two daughters, Kimberly Johnson (daughter of her first husband, Leslie Johnson) and Amanda Christopherson; as well as her son, Jason Burma, whom she did not raise but was very fond of and held close in her heart. She was a proud mother-in-law to Dave and Ezekiel; and a devoted grandmother to Caden, Jackson, Madison, Kennedy, Micah, and Ella. Her love also extended to her great-grandchildren, Oliver and Sapphire. She is further survived by her brother, Douglas Stelzer; brother-in-law, Dave Larson Sr.; stepsister, Cora Martin; her cherished dog, Lilah, who brought her immense joy and comfort; her nieces and nephews; and several cousins near and far.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Stelzer and Agnes (Tokey) Becker; her brother, David Stelzer; her sister, Deborah Larson; and her husband, John Nichols. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Glen Becker, and her stepmother, Helen Sager.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Ava’s Hospice House for their kindness, care, and support during Donna’s final days.
“I know something you don’t know!” — Words from Donna she wanted to share with everyone.
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