Longtime Center resident, Donna Mae Jenkins, 89, passed away in Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 20, 2016. She was born on September 10, 1927 to Carl Schmittel and Frances Burns Schmittel in Center, CO.

She attended the Center Schools graduating in 1945. During high school, she was a Worthy Advisor of Rainbow and an Outer Observer for the Grand Assembly. Donna Mae received a scholarship for business school at the Barnes School of Commerce in Denver and graduated with a diploma in 1946. Next, she received a scholarship to further her education at Colorado University in Boulder where she received a degree in Music Education. While attending Colorado University, she was the treasurer for Tau Beta Sigma and enjoyed playing the flute in the CU Marching Band and Concert Band.

On December 30, 1950, Donna Mae married William Earl White (an agronomist) and moved to Grand Junction so that he could work with the Soil Conservation Service. Then in September of 1952, they were transferred to Alamosa, CO. Here, Donna Mae taught third grade at Boyd School for 4 ½ years. Their daughter, Jaxine Carla White, was born in 1957.

On February 9, 1958, Bill White was killed in an airplane crash. Following her husband’s death she moved back to Center where she taught elementary music for 27 years. In June of 1960, Donna Mae purchased her farm from her Grandmother Clark. Then on July 2, 1960, she married Leonard Ernest Jenkins, who had a Master’s degree in Entomology and worked for CSU. They were married for 50 years when he passed away on October 26, 2010 in Center, CO.

Donna Mae Jenkins enjoyed farming many different crops including alfalfa, barley, wheat, and especially potatoes. She also raised sheep and pigs in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. She was a member of the SLV Farm and Ranch Management Assn., Mon Cen Del Square Dance Club, and the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing and teaching the piano, especially piano duets. Donna Mae also enjoyed swimming at Splashland and was very involved with keeping it going. She always felt it was very important for kids to have a place to swim.

Donna Mae was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Emma Lou; two sisters; Mildred Cooper previously of Billings, Montana, and Anne Bailey previously of Denver.

She is survived by her daughter, Jaxine Barhite (Chuck); two grandchildren; Dr. Tyler Tonso (Gina) and Dr. Erica Tonso (Shawn) all of Cheyenne, WY, great granddaughter; Sydney Roe and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., September 24, 2016 at the Rogers Family Mortuary. Interment will follow services in the Monte Vista Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Center Methodist Church. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com.

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