Memorial services for Dona Lee Grace Brown Wilson, 84, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Pieter Willems officiating. Burial will be at 3:15 pm Saturday at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Atchison, Kan. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service Saturday at the funeral home.
Dona met Dick when they were 14-years old. She was a cheerleader and American Royal beauty candidate who caught the attention of an attractive young athlete, whom she would later refer to as a “hotdog”. Little did she know, that “hotdog” would become the love of her life, the center of 51 years of marriage, five children, Terry (Barb), Richard Troy III, Michele (late husband Rocky), Mark and Tim (Carla); seven grandchildren Zachary, Joshua, Deon, Michael, Kendall, Leah, and Abby; and ten great grandsons, Riah, Rade, Logan, Treson, Levi, Caleb, Remington, Jorey, Miles and Rowan and welcomed an orphaned whippet dog “Baby”.
While in high school, Dona worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA. She later worked for FP Gehring Construction and Dr. Spencer Fast as a secretary. Dona was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. All the while she helped Dick with their plumbing business, answering the phones and scheduling customers, and later helped Dick and customers with designing the interior decor for their custom built homes. Dona was an avid swimmer, golfer of which she competitively played for fun and won many tournaments. She learned her technique and love for golf by private coaching during special time with Dick. Dona continued her unique gift in design through floral arranging and managing West Ridge Floral until its closing and proceeded with managing Michael’s Furniture Store assisting customers with unique interior furnishings. In retirement she enjoyed marshaling at Alvamar Golf Course, participating in Bible study groups at the Mustard Seed Church, attending her yearly class reunions reconnecting with new and old friends which she always anticipated months in advance, following her grandchildren in their school and sporting activities, enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, knitting, and crocheting for family, friends, and special occasions.
Dona was the strong Matriarch of the family. She lived life to the fullest, always trying her best to live by the morals and values passed down by her parents. She instilled those same morals in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren through her constant support, ongoing communication and unconditional love. She led by example, knowing that her actions spoke louder than her words. Dona was a strong woman who loved nothing more than to spend quality time with her loved ones. Dona firmly believed in the power of prayer, she brought forth any need or concern that her family encountered before God in trusting that He would hear.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends but welcomed with open arms in the Kingdom of Heaven by the Lord and those whom have gone before her. We celebrate that she is set free and rejoicing in Jesus in everlasting life with Him. And from all of us, your family and friends, we will miss the huge family gatherings you loved and cherished, Friday night dinner dates, your detailed stories of family memories over donuts and a cup of coffee on Saturday mornings and long conversations in the evening on the front porch. We look forward to being together again, with you welcoming us at the pearly gates. We love you, Dona, Dona Lee, Mom, Ma, Mama, Nona, Nonee, Grandma, Favorite Sister-in-Law and Aunt Dona.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Mustard Seed Church, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
