Sioux Falls, SD ~ Donna Delane Meeker, age 80, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Donna’s family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Monday evening from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at George Boom Funeral Home & Crematory in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Ava’s House Foundation. Donna Delane Hale was born on March 30, 1938 in Deadwood, SD to James and Mildred (Davis) Hale. Until the age of three her family resided in Hill City, SD before making their home in Sturgis, SD. It was in Sturgis that Donna was raised and received her education. At a very young age, Donna developed a passion for music and the arts. She played the clarinet, and in high school was honored to be in the All State Band. Following high school, Donna continued her education in Mitchell, SD at Dakota Wesleyan University. While earning her teaching certificate at DWU, Donna met and fell in love with Nyle Delvin Meeker. Donna and Nyle were united in marriage on June 6, 1958 in Sturgis. Donna began her teaching career in Chamberlain, SD where she taught for three years. The family then moved to Watertown, SD for a brief time and then moved to Britton, SD, where she devoted herself to being a wife, mother, and homemaker. In the late 70's she decided to continue her education and in 1979 earned a bachelor’s degree from DWU. She then taught grades K-8 at the Sunset Colony until moving to Sioux Falls in 1987. Donna then worked for the Sioux Falls School District teaching at Lowell, Jane Adams & Oscar Howe Elementary Schools until her retirement in 2001. Donna was an active member of Hilltop United Methodist Church, where she attended Bible studies and helped coordinate the church pictorial directories. Donna was a gifted seamstress, often making her own clothing as well as her children’s. She loved the Black Hills and its history. Donna enjoyed playing golf, painting pictures, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, ribbon embroidery, scrap booking and reading. She was blessed with a wonderful wit and a great sense of humor. Above all, Donna cherished her family; especially listening to her children sing and spending time with her grandchildren. Donna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and educator who will be dearly missed. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Nyle Meeker, Sioux Falls, SD; children, Alan (Julie) Meeker, Charlotte, NC, Doug (Terri) Meeker, Willow Spring, NC, Jim (Pam) Meeker, Jacksonville, NC, Ann (Brian) Gaines, Helotes, TX and Warren (Lindsay) Meeker, Rock Hill, SC; 13 grandchildren: Holly (James) Sapienza, Courtney Meeker, Lindy (Zack) Leonard, Jamey Meeker, Zach Meeker, Abbie Meeker, Ella Meeker, Austin Gaines, Brett Gaines, Addison Gaines, Lucy Furry, Seamus Meeker and Kendall Garvin-Ramos; two great-grandchildren: Harper Sapienza and Noah Leonard; one brother, Norman Hale, Sturgis, SD; and many other relatives and friends. Donna was preceded in death by her parents: James and Mildred Hale; and two brothers, Larry and Bruce Hale.