Donna Nell Kadrich

Donna Nell Kadrich (Summar) passed peacefully in the presence of her loving family Sunday July 13, 2025. Donna was born in Amarillo Texas on September 8, 1954. She moved to Alaska with her father Jonathan Summar Jr and her mother, Martha Summar (Osbourn) in 1964 along with her brothers and sisters. 

 

Donna lived in McGrath, Alaska from the late 80’s to 1993 where she worked for the Iditarod Area School District as an administrative assistant. She was an active member of the community and coached cheerleading, volunteered to chaperone school trips, played volleyball and basketball and helped whenever an opportunity arose. She co-owned the Takusko House Lodge in McGrath and poured her extra time and energy into assuring all the guests were well cared for. Some of the most notable guests she talked about meeting were Lynn Swan and Terry Bradshaw who stayed there while covering the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. 

 

She later moved back to Tok, Alaska and worked for the Alaska DMV transferring to the Glennallen DMV office followed by Palmer DMV office and finally the Anchorage DMV office. Upon retiring from the State of Alaska DMV Donna began a new career handling the vehicle title and registration needs for the Lithia Motors Anchorage dealerships until her retirement in 2022.

 

Donna found the love of her life in her husband Doug; she thanked God for bringing him into her life. Throughout their 23 years of marriage, he showed her what true love means and she finally felt safe with him. Together they built a cabin in Eureka where they have spent the last 22 years making memories. 

 

Donna was a person who loved everyone, though her primary goal was to spend as much time possible with her husband, children and grandchildren. Each year she would plan a Gammy and Grandpa trip where she picked up her grandkids and brought them to the cabin to spend a week completing crafts, swimming, fishing, hiking and laughing. Donna cared about family deeply, which was reflected by her effort to show up to events family members participated in. 

 

Donna gave birth to three children, Jorge Simmons, Shawn Simmons, and Tisha Simmons with her first husband Michael Simmons. She has nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. 

 

Donna is survived by her husband Doug Kadrich, son Jorge (Michelle) Simmons, daughter Tisha Simmons, daughter-in-law Catherine Simmons; grandchildren Dominique (Lyle) Edwards, David Simmons, Destiny Simmons, Justise (Jacob) Smith, Jadyn Fraser, Toby Simmons, Cody Simmons, Lillian Natal and Darian Slade and great-granddaughter Vaeda Edwards; siblings Debra (Ed) James, Darlene Summar-Charles, Dorita (Chris Brockett) Mericle, Elvia Murrell, Marthalynn (Doug) Edwards, and Jeff (Sue) Summar. 

 

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Jon and Martha Summar and her son, Shawn Simmons and brothers Cliff Summar and Tim Summar.