Donna Dayle Lukow

Donna Dayle Lukow, 92, passed away Friday, March 7th, 2025. She passed peacefully at her home with immediate family at her side in Pahrump, NV.

Donna was born January 8,1933 in Bovina, CO to Lester and Agnes Kemp. She was the second of five children (Dorthy Foster, Darrell, John and Robert Kemp). Donna grew up on her parents’ farm in Northern Colorado, where she loved to work beside her father helping with the animals and in the fields. She shared many stories of her days milking cows, irrigating crops, driving farm equipment and working at the local drug store and soda fountain. Her elementary years were spent at Olive Branch one room country school. And, yes, she walked several miles to school and home.

During her high school years she was active in band, piano, 4-H, and Rainbow. She excelled in shorthand, typing and bookkeeping. She loved playing softball, roller skating, and square dancing. Donna graduated from Eaton High School in 1950, she moved to Eastern CO where she settled to raise her three children: Cindy (Dave) Amos, Gale (Melodie) Lukow, and Carolyn Lukow. When her children were young, Donna enthusiastically played fastpitch softball for the Arriba Bloomer Girls. She shared many stories of the fun she had on the softball diamond playing catcher and center field.

Donna was dedicated to her children and all their activities, never missing an event or game the three participated in. She kept score for every game and could often be heard from the stands cheering them on. Donna worked endless hours bookkeeping for the family business while working at the Arriba High School Library. She was later employed at several local restaurants where she was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls, fried chicken and expertly served steaks.

In 1979, Donna moved to Denver CO where she worked in Financial Services, retiring in 2007 at the age of 74. In retirement, Donna joined the Heather Gardens knitting club. She loved to knit baby blankets and afghans for family and friends. Her work was finished beautifully and always a cherished gift to those who received it. They were especially treasured by her great grandchildren. She repaired them as needed from time and time, once doing an emergency repair in a restaurant using forks as her knitting needles. Spending time with all her grandchildren was a priority she rarely missed their activities and milestone events.

Donna loved the early days of the Colorado Rockies franchise, attending as many games as she could, never missing them on television when she wasn’t at the park. She especially enjoyed evening games at Coor’s Field with a “Rockies Dog” in hand watching baseball with family and friends. In 2007 Donna attended one of the World Series games with her treasured friends, memories she often spoke about.

Cruising became a favorite pastime for Donna, she thoroughly enjoyed her days at sea and evening dinners surrounded by family, beaming with immense pride. She also did not mind the special care she received from the attentive staff as they honored the matriarch seated at the table. In 2019, Donna moved to Pahrump, Nevada due to health complications from the altitude in Colorado. She continued her love of knitting and took up the new pastime of jigsaw puzzles.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and son Gale. She is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Dave) Amos and Carolyn Lukow; four grandchildren, Jordan Amos, Megan (Lukow) Morgan, Elisa (Amos) Murphy, David Lukow; six great grandchildren, Weston Amos, Mason and Dillon Morgan, Liam, Adian and Evelyn Murphy; and many nieces and nephews.

All who knew Donna witnessed a life of commitment to family, serene strength and determination, compassion for others and grace for all. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and all that knew her. In lieu of a celebration of life, the family invites all who knew Donna to share their special memories of her on this site as a tribute to her life well lived and loved.