Roberta Louise Donohue

Roberta Donohue, age 76, of Greeley, Kansas entered into eternal life on June 1, 2020 with her beloved twins, Deb and Dan by her side.

Roberta Louise Hughes was born on June 7, 1943, at the Newman Memorial County Hospital in Emporia, Kansas. She was the first of three children born to Clarence LeRoy and Marjorie (Milliken) Hughes. The family lived in Baxter Springs, Kansas before moving to Garnett in 1954, where LeRoy purchased an auto supply store. Beginning at age eleven Roberta discovered her love of working. She proudly worked alongside her father, even taking on some of the bookkeeping. Roberta enjoyed her years at Garnett High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. She then attended Pittsburg State University for one year before transferring to Kansas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics with a minor Journalism. After graduation, Roberta traveled nationally for a year as an Ambassador for her Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She then began a job in journalism as a reporter for the local Garnett Publishing Company. In the mid sixties, Roberta first made the acquaintance of Joe Donohue from Greeley. Joe and Roberta were married on October 15, 1966. The absolute greatest blessing of this marriage was the birth of their twins, Debra and Daniel who were born on Easter Sunday of 1968. Roberta was a homemaker and loving mother to the twins. She raised a garden each year and helped Joe in the early years of his haying and cattle business. Her hospitality and kindness resulted in Roberta being considered a "second Mom" to Deb and Dan's friends as they spent time gathering at their home on the weekends.

Roberta and Joe purchased Greeley Seed Company in 1978. Degrees in home economics and journalism didn't fit into her new-found career in the seed industry, but Roberta's professionalism and personality made her an immediate success as manager of the "Seed House". She turned Greeley Seed into a thriving business in Anderson County, supplying seed to a large portion of Eastern Kansas. In 1994, Roberta was elected the first female President of the Kansas Seed Industry Association. In addition to the seed business, Roberta also helped Joe maintain his trucking, ranching and farming endeavors. Roberta was grateful for the dedicated employees that they had over the years, with many of them becoming lifelong friends. During a most difficult time in her life, Roberta inspired all of us with her strength, faith and loyalty.

Roberta’s spirit will live on in the memory of all who knew her. She was a special person in countless lives. Her thoughtful cards to friends and family will be missed. Roberta’s gift for hospitality was also demonstrated in their company Christmas parties, and bringing life to the Scipio Supper Club as well as the Rosell Ranch. Some of Roberta's most memorable times included annual vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks with family and friends. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She enjoyed playing cards with them and countless hours at the ball fields following Rage Baseball and high school football. They were often spoiled by Grandma’s fried chicken, well, pretty much all of her cooking. Holiday gatherings, family cookouts and fireworks will be some of the memories that her family will cherish.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Marge Hughes.

She is survived by her husband, Joe, of the home; daughter, Deb Stifter and husband Kevin, grandsons, Dane, Joshua and Justin Stifter of Greeley, Kansas; son, Dan Donohue and wife Jill of Tulsa, Oklahoma, granddaughters, Natalie Sieler and husband, Todd and great-grandson, Brady, of Owasso, Oklahoma, and Nicole Donohue of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister, Martha "Bun" Miller of Garnett; brother, Clarence Hughes and wife, Sandy of Castle Rock, Colorado; brothers and sisters-in-law John Donohue of Greeley, Kansas, Mary Donohue, Margaret Ann “Midge” Donohue of Topeka, Kansas, Leo Donohue and wife Jane of Garnett, Kansas; nieces and nephew, Angie Sears, Meridith Lowe, Geoffrey Hughes, Lisa Ray and Leah Donohue.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, June 8, 2020 at St. John's Hall, Greeley, Kansas. The family will greet friends immediately following the service in the Hall until 5:00 PM. Friends may pay their respects from Noon and 5:00 PM, Sunday at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Garnett. At Roberta’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Scholarship Fund for the Kansas Seed Industry Association or the Greeley City Park, and can be left in care of the funeral home, Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 219 S. Oak St., Garnett, Kansas 66032. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .