Donna Rae (Taylor) Brush, 81, of Jacksonville, IL and formerly of Scottsbluff, NE and Shenandoah quietly passed away in her sleep Friday evening, June 21, 2013 at Heritage Health in Jacksonville.

Born December 12, 1931 in Scottsbluff, NE; the daughter of Ernest Neal and Ethel E. (Carlson) Taylor (both deceased), she grew up in Scottsbluff and graduated high school with the class of 1950. She was active in the Nebraska chapter of Job's Daughters, and her love of animals, especially horses, spurred her involvement in the Scottsbluff Saddle Club. Donna Rae liked to ride an English style saddle and had a fondness for five-gated horses. Although she never competed, Donna Rae loved the pageantry of the rodeo and presided as Queen of the Rodeo one year. She was united in marriage to Milo Orion Brush Jr. on October 7, 1956 in Scottsbluff, NE. He preceded her in death on May 3, 1999.

Donna Rae took great pride in family, was a dedicated and loving mother to her three children, and enjoyed corresponding with family and long-time friends. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Chapter F.C. of P.E.O. in Scottsbluff, hospital volunteer, and involved in many other local clubs and organizations.

She is survived by a daughter, Milene (Brush) Paulus and husband Richard of Jacksonville; two sons, Eric Brush of Iowa City, IA and Scott Brush and wife Nicole of Chanhassen, MN; five grandchildren, Nathan and Ryan Paulus of Jacksonville and Aaron, Matthew, and Joseph Brush of Chanhassen, MN; a sister, Louise Yost and husband John of Scottsbluff, NE; and two nieces, Susan (Yost) Bosche and husband Chris of Scottsbluff, NE and Amber (Yost) Epp and husband Russell of Madison, WI, several cousins and a wonderful circle of friends.

Those who wish to make a memorial contribution may do so to the American Diabetes Association.

A committal will be held later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.