Eleanor Rose Donovan (Kisha), 83, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on December 28, 2025. Eleanor was born on February 4, 1942, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to Eleanor (Yurasek) and Steven Kisha.
While attending Central Catholic High School, Eleanor participated in Forensics League, Pep Club, and the Sodality of Our Lady (a devotional organization), and graduated in 1959.
After graduating from high school, Eleanor earned an associate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, studying biology and chemistry.
Over her life, Eleanor worked at Salk Hall at the university in cleft palate research, with the Glidden Company in Johnstown, as a lab technician in St. Joseph, MO, and in sales at JCPenney in North Kansas City.
After marrying Frederick Donovan in 1966, Eleanor lived in Pleasant Valley, Missouri, raising a blended family of 5 boys and 1 girl from several previous marriages, whom all she considered her children.
In 1998, several years after Fred passed, Eleanor moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, living near her son, Steven. In the summer of 2018, following an epic trip down Highway I-80, smuggling her cat, Sassy, into various unsuspecting motels to avoid pet deposits, Eleanor relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lived near her son, Fred.
Eleanor was very religious, observing both Catholic and Lutheran tenets and attending churches wherever she lived, from St. Stephen Lutheran in Liberty, MO, to Gloria Dei Lutheran in Coos Bay, OR, and Spirit of Hope Lutheran in Lincoln, NE. Eleanor was very interested in history, especially concerning the British Royal Family. She, Fred, and the family took many historically themed vacations highlighting the Oregon Trail, cattle trails of the West, and many Civil War battlefields. Probably stored in closets throughout the country are the many blankets and throws she crocheted.
Eleanor loved elephants and collected many figurines.
Predeceasing Eleanor were both parents, husband, Frederick, and daughter, Kim Karaff. Surviving family includes sons, David (Terrie), Mark (Karen), James (Suzanne), Stephen (Joni), and Fred (Priscilla); grandchildren, Sarah (Drew), Mikal, Mallina, Todd, Stephanie, Bridget, Grace (Darin), Sophia, Malachi, and Levi;
great-grandchildren, Harrison, Maxwell, and Jayden; Son-in-Law, Gary Karaff. On February 15th, at 4:00 PM, a memorial service will be held at Calvary
Lutheran Church, 2788 Franklin St., Lincoln, NE, 68502. Eleanor’s final resting place will be with her husband, Fred, in Fairview Cemetery, Liberty, MO. “Budes nam chybat.”
8 thoughts on “Eleanor Rose Donovan”
A very full life, as she was.
So sorry for your loss, condolences. Good memories of Eleanor and family! Regards, Mark, Steven, James, Fred!
We are sorry to hear of Aunt Eleanor’s passing. I only met her a few times, but I remember that she was very nice. I had no idea that she had worked in research for cleft palates. I would have been interested in what she had learned, since I have one. I appreciate the efforts she put towards that. We will be praying for all of her family and friends and look forward to seeing her again one day. Love and Blessings. Patty and Dave Kisha
To You my Matka, I will never forget You …Poka
The Celebration of Life for our mom will be live streamed. Please free to join if you would like.
https://youtube.com/live/XJamIjYAp3s?feature=share
I remember Fred and Eleanor from our early days at St Stephen. Many blessings to the family. Heaven is a joyous place.
Dear Donovan family. You have our sympathy. When our family, Chuck. Pam Gail and BethAnn moved from Michigan just about 40 years ago, visited St Stephen. We planned on going to visit mamy churches. However, St Stephen was the only church we went to. We had Eleanor visited us at the door and welcomed us. Then Fred talked with us. The next week we went back and both Mr and Mrs Donovan remembered our names. God Bless your family and prayers for you all. The Bennett family.
Dear Donovan family. You have my heartfelt sympathy. I will miss Eleanor until I join her in Heaven. My memories of her and our friendship start the summer of 1948. We will be friends forever.
Rita