Donna Jean Hester

Donna Jean Lawson Hester, 58, of Killeen, Texas, moved forward into eternal life on Monday, January 1, 2024. Donna was born in Wuerzburg, Germany on December 18, 1965 to her loving parents Eugene David Lawson and Nova Margaret Jeanette Lawson. Both parents served in the United States Army, and the family time spent in Germany was while Eugene was stationed there.

Donna lived most of her life in Killeen, Texas, but spent many childhood summers in Jennings, Louisiana visiting family on her mother’s side. She attended Sugar Loaf Elementary, Nolan Middle School, and Ellison High School.

Donna is preceded in eternity by her parents Eugene and Momo (Nova), her sister Ellen Murphy, and some of her beloved fur babies. She is survived by her husband Jim, her children Michelle Kratzenberg, Kyle (Lauren) Kratzenberg, James Hester, and her granddaughters Azalea Kratzenberg and Avianna Hester. Her sister, Heather (Rick) Kaiser, brother-in-law, Robert Murphy, sister-in-law Anne (Bruce) Peters, brother-in-laws, David (Ann) and Will (Camille) Hester. Many nieces and nephews: Joseph Kousman II, Evan Knowles, Megan Murphy, RJ Kaiser, Patrick (Ellie) Kaiser, David (Kara) Hester, Chase (Nicole) Hester, Ben (Savannah) Peters, Allison Peters, Georgia, Eli and Jae Hester, and Terry Kratzenberg, father of her children, former husband and life-long friend.

As an adult, Donna found her calling and flourished in the restaurant industry where she started as a waitress, and successfully moved into senior management. Donna worked at O’Phelan’s, Applebee’s and El Chico; she served for 20 years as an Assistant Manager, General Manager, and District Manager at El Chico’s, Killeen, TX. Donna was always known for her kindhearted smile, sweet southern hospitality and for building relationships with both her fellow employees and all the patrons who frequented her restaurants.

Donna worked tirelessly to establish and maintain meaningful relationships across the entire Killeen and Fort Hood community. True to her military roots, Donna helped promote and participate in Welcome Home Ceremonies for redeploying Soldiers and their Families, as well as assisting with Single Soldier Morale Events through El Chico.

Donna met her loving husband Jim Hester, in 1996 in Killeen, Texas while working at El Chico. They were excited to unite as one on August 7, 1998 in a small ceremony at El Chico to celebrate and commemorate the place they first met. They shared the love of many fur babies, Max and Flo, who are both home with Jim. Donna loved to go camping and traveling with Jim to really enjoy their time together and share the best that nature had to offer.

Experiencing restaurants with her friends and enjoying laughs together was one of Donna’s favorite pastimes. Most of all, Donna loved her family, and absolutely enjoyed being together for picnics, outings and good old fashioned Texas get togethers. She loved football season and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Texas Longhorns. She especially enjoyed the last couple of years watching her sweet granddaughter, Azalea grow.

Donna had a deep faith, truly loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and always sought to find the best in everyone; she maintained a unique optimism and real trust in the goodness of all her friends and family.

She loved this life - and everything and everyone in her life - Donna battled her illness with calmness, bravery and hope, but in the end, Donna left us too early. Her memory lives on in the hearts of all she loved and all those who loved her.

Donna’s Memorial Service is Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 12 p.m., at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 S Fort Hood St, Killeen, Texas 76542.

In lieu of flowers, we would love for you to make a donation to Families in Crisis, Inc. at familiesincrisis.net. The mission behind this organization is something Donna appreciated.