Donetta Mae Petitt

She was born in Morse Bluff, NE to Joseph and Hulda Sedlacek on May 21, 1937. She and her husband James A. Petitt moved to Scottsbluff in 1962 and built their lives together.

She obtained her early education in Holdrege, NE before moving to Kearney and then graduated from Hastings High School. She obtained her teaching degree at Hastings College in Hastings, NE and she was a cheerleader while in college and enjoyed supporting the Bronco’s.

She married James A. Petitt on August 18, 1959. The Petitt’s lived in Hastings where Donetta taught school for 3 years in a one room country school. She loved teaching and often shared stories of the children she inspired. She taught an additional 3 years in Clarks, NE before moving to Scottsbluff. She left the working world for several years to raise her children.

Donetta returned to the work force in various positions with the State of Nebraska and the Department of Labor. She retired from the Greater Nebraska Job Training Program in 1993.

Donetta was proud mother and never missed an opportunity to talk about her children and grandchildren. She very much enjoyed attending her children’s sporting, music and after hours events and could be heard cheering in the background.

She is survived by her loving husband Jim of nearly 65 years and their children, Paige Petitt (Kathy Korinko), Ladd and Traci Petitt and Tylor Petitt (Tracy Fisher). The grand children were also a great source of pride for Donetta and she relished the time spent with Tyler (Halle) Petitt, Ryan Petitt, Trey Petitt (Taylor Genis) and Sydney Petitt (Devin Hodous). She is also survived by her sisters Betty Hansen, Nita Sader (Rod).

She was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Ron and his wife Rosalie, and brother-in-law Jack Hansen.

She traveled with her sister (Betty) to the Czech and Slovak Republic’s where they traced the roots of her family and visited a cousin who lived in the house where her father and grandfather were born. She found this to be one of the most memorable trips of her life. Traveling across the state of Nebraska and Iowa to spend time with her children and grandchildren were also considered highlights of her life.

Funeral services will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff, NE on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 1:00 pm. A private family grave side service will take place in Davenport, NE. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Donetta’s memory may be made to Memorial tributes may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Petitt family.