Donna M. Hale

Donna M. Hale, age 86, of Garnett, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2010. Donna was born on October 2, 1923, in Anderson County, Kansas, the oldest daughter of Gus and Fern (Borror) Weiss. She grew up in the area, graduating from Garnett High School in 1941. She married Jesse James "Bus" Hale on November 24, 1945, in Anderson County, Kansas. This union was blessed with three children, Jim, Rose Mary, and Dennis. Donna worked as a secretary at Grennen's Produce in Garnett. They lived in Garnett for 25 years while Bus worked for Kewanee Oil Company; they transferred to Towanda, where Bus worked for 18 years for Kewanee, Gulf Oil, and finishing with Chevron. Donna was a homemaker during the time she raised her children. She went to work at a small school in Towanda serving in the lunch room for about three years. After retirement, they returned to the family farm southeast of Garnett. She was a member of the Hyatt Club, the Greenfield Area Quilting Club, and the United Brethren Church in Christ of Garnett, also a member of the Women's Missionary Association. Donna loved to sew and quilt, do puzzle books, and going to garage sales and shopping. She was a former Blue Birds and Boy Scouts leader. She loved to sit at her table and watch the birds through the window, and to watch grandpa tinker around out in the garage. Donna was dedicated to her son Jim while he was in the service by proudly displaying her flag daily for him. She enjoyed visiting on the phone and having coffee with her daughter and granddaughters, but most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James Ray Hale in 2004; and her brother, Carl Weiss in November 2003. Donna is survived by her husband, Bus Hale, of the home; one son, Dennis Hale and wife Gloria of Topeka, Kansas; one daughter, Rose Mary Turner and husband Gary of Garnett; three sisters, Dorothy Hawley of Merriam, Kansas; Rose Marie Miller and husband Doug of Garnett; Mary Ann Umbarger and husband Curtis of Garnett; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Weiss, Goldie Gull, and Lucille Davis, all of Garnett; eight grandchildren; Lisa Simmons and husband Ralph of Garnett; Terri Carey and husband Don of Garnett; Jesse D. Hale of Abilene, Kansas; Clinton Hale of Abilene, Kansas; Daniel Hale and wife Amanda of Dwight, Kansas; Laura Michelle Hale of St. Louis, Missouri; Julia Dawn Hale of Lenexa, Kansas; Caroline Rose Hale of Lawrence, Kansas; five great grandchildren, Jeremy C. Meyer, Anthony M. Meyer, Jordan N. Carey, Amanda J. Carey, Austin Ray Hale; and one great great granddaughter, Jadon Dawn Carey. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Springfield Cemetery in Garnett. Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the funeral home in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Brethren Church, Garnett. You may send your condolences to the family at our website at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .