Donna Virginia McBeth
February 9, 1927 - June 2, 2018 Santa Clara
Our beloved wife and mother, Donna McBeth, went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2018, at the age of 91 years. Donna Virginia (Larson) was born on February 9, 1927, in Cordova, Nebraska, to Hans and Minnie (Nickel) Larson. She is the youngest of four children and the only daughter. After attending Country School through eighth grade, her family moved to Friend, Nebraska, where she graduated from high school in 1944. She studied piano beginning at age 8 and continuing through high school, which gave her the opportunity to be an accompanist to singing and choral groups in church and school. She also studied a commercial course in high school and was employed at Bankers Life Insurance Company in Lincoln, Nebraska, and as secretary at the Nebraska Book Store until her marriage to Lloyd D. McBeth in 1951. They moved to Indian Head, Maryland, where she was secretary for the Day and Zimmerman Engineering Co. until her daughter Patricia Ann was born in 1953. The family moved to Chicago, and then to Dallas, Texas, where a second daughter, Barbara Kay was born in 1959. The family moved to Santa Clara, California, where Donna devoted her time to raising her two daughters and doing volunteer work for school, church, and civic activities. She has been President of the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz County Council of Camp Fire Girls and served on its Board of Directors and as a Trustee of the Council. She is a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sunnyvale, California, United Methodist Women, and the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Predeceasing her were her parents, three brothers and sisters-in-law, and a nephew. She leaves her husband, Lloyd McBeth, daughter Patricia and son-in-law Douglas Richardson, daughter Barbara and son-in-law Tony McBroom, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to Trinity United Methodist Church, Sunnyvale, California; to Silicon Valley Chapter Military Officer’s Association of America; to Bay Area Huskers Scholarship Fund; or to a charity of your choice.