Obituary: Doneta Pretty, 58, of New Era.

Doneta L. Pretty,

Obituary: Doneta Pretty, 58, of New Era.

Doneta L. Pretty, age 58, of New Era, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2021.  She was born November 9, 1962 in Hart.  She graduated from Shelby High School in 1981.  Doneta attended trade school at ITT Technologies in Grand Rapids and became a journeyman electrician.  She was employed by Harsco Rail/Pandrol Jackson Company as an electrician for twenty-two years, mostly in railroad train track maintenance.  Much of her work consisted of electrical work on locomotives.  She was a member of the United Auto Workers.

Doneta L. Pretty,

Doneta was a member of the Bonnie Blue Bells  in her youth.  She would later travel around the state, teaching baton twirling at schools.  Doneta loved going the Oval at Lake Michigan, jeeping, mud trucking and loved living on the farm and crafting.

She is survived by her significant other, Alan Burmeister; her sons, David John “D.J.” (and Autumn) Reinoehl and Laketon Pretty; her grandson, Kingston “Moon Pie” Reinoehl who called her his “Memaw”; her mother, Pat Thebo; her siblings, Dawn (Joe) Felt, Doug (Diana) Pretty, Russell Pretty and Richard Pretty; several nieces and nephews; and her “faithful herd”, her dog, Dexter and her kitties, Ivan and Sissy.  She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Pretty and stepfather, Dale Thebo.  Special thanks to her friends, Irene, Lori and Tammy for their care during her illness.