Donna Jo Kissinger

Donna Jo Kissinger, 74, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at Baldwin Healthcare & Rehabilitation. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, August 5, 2021, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Donna was born April 22, 1947, in Merriam, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and Dorothy (Head) Gross. She lived in Shawnee, Kansas, moving in the early 1970’s to Ottawa. She graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School with the class of 1965 and continued her education at Emporia State Teachers College. Donna was united in marriage to F. Wayne Kissinger July 23, 1967, in Shawnee, Kansas. They were later divorced. Donna was employed with several companies throughout her life which included: Cannady Supply, National Sign, Ottawa Ford, Mace Trucking, and Steanson Plumbing. She was a member of the West 15th Street Church of Christ in Ottawa, Franklin County 4-H leader, TOPS, and Royal Neighbors. Donna was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting and crochet. She loved to watch sports, auto racing, KU Jayhawks, KC Royals and Chiefs. Spending time with her family and grandchildren was the thing she loved the most. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Tommie Dale Gross, and grandson Blake Eden. Survivors include three children, Devon Kissinger (Paula) of Lawrence, Marc Kissinger (Denise) also of Lawrence, and Jennifer Eden (Tim) of DeLand, Florida; brother David Gross (Kathleen) of Roeland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, Brandon Kissinger, Cole Kissinger, Caleb Kissinger, Christopher Eden, and Ashton Eden; and great grandchild, Kahlan Kissinger. The family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to Greg and Lori Hazen and Barbee Savage for their dedication, love and support of Donna over the past several years, especially in her final days. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation or Our Legacy c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.