Donna Louise Shultz passed away February 2 in Reno after a long illness. Donna was born in Santa Barbara, CA on December 15, 1944 and raised in Bakersfield, California.
She lived most of her adult life in Reno, where she taught for more than two decades at Sarah Winnemucca, Mamie Towels and Alice Maxwell elementary schools. During this time, she was honored with the Chamber of Commerce’s best teacher award and led her students to numerous local, regional and state Odyssey of the Mind championships.
Donna retired to Paradise, California, where she continued to help students as a teaching assistant for the Paradise Elementary School District. She returned to Reno, Nevada shortly before fire destroyed the Paradise community and enjoyed the remainder of her life living close to her daughter and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter Nicole Greene, Nicole’s children Korban, Bijou and Kaia, Nicole’s partner Michael Spinolli, her sister Ann Prater (Troy), nephews and nieces Trevor Prater, David Prater, Wesley Prater, Amanda Caywood and Ethan Beck, and her former husband Neil Lund. Her first husband Jerry Shultz, sister Carol Beck and parents Don and Helen Tapie predeceased her.
The family plans to hold a private service later this summer.
