Marie Donaldson

Lela Marie Donaldson, the daughter of Bert Edwards and Lena Belle Roberts was born in a farmhouse in Anderson County, Kansas near Greeley on August 21, 1926. She passed away on April 6, 2020, at Tanglewood Nursing and Rehabilitation in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 93.

Marie was the youngest of eight children and graduated from high school at Greeley, Kansas. After high school which was during World War II, she lived in Lawrence, Kansas and worked at the Sunflower Ordnance Works Plant helping make ammunition for the war effort. She married Wayne Keith Donaldson on May 4, 1946, in Ottawa, Kansas. They lived in Garnett and were married for over 49 years till he preceded her in death on September 2, 1995.

They had three children, Karen Kay, Gary Wayne and Julie Marie. Karen preceded her in death in January 1970.

From 1980 to 1995, Wayne and Marie owned and operated Donaldson Construction, a dirt and heavy equipment business. They also had a successful business raising and selling show quality pugs for more than 30 years. Marie, Julie and Wayne showed many of their dogs in national shows and won many awards. They were well known nationally for their Donaldson pugs.

Marie was a long-time member of the First Christian Church of Garnett. She enjoyed quilting for many years and shared many of her handmade quilts with family members.

Marie is survived by her children, Gary Donaldson and Cathy of Fairbanks, Alaska and Julie Donaldson Amos and Joe of Topeka, Kansas. She is also survived by four grandchildren Erin, Justine, Zak and Brandie and eight great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will take place at Garnett Cemetery at a later date.