Donna Jean Blaue

Donna Jean (Burington) Blaue, 86, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Monday, May 29, 2023, at Morningstar Care Homes Dunn’s Vista, Baldwin City, Kansas.

Celebration of life services will be held 5:30 P.M., Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Dengel and Son Mortuary, Ottawa with a visitation immediately after.

Inurnment 3:00 P.M., Friday, June 9, 2023, Hugo Cemetery in New Florence, Missouri.

Donna was born Wednesday, August 26, 1936, in Hawarden, Iowa, the daughter of Coburn and Leone (Babcock) Burington.

She graduated from Hawarden High School with the class of 1954 and went on to attend Iowa State University for three years. Donna completed her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics at Arizona State University in 1959.

Donna married Les Blaue on June 10, 1961, in Hiawatha, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1989.

Her first job was as a home economics teacher in Horton, Kansas, and later she taught at Hiawatha High School. She also taught at Happy Days Preschool in Hiawatha, was the bookkeeper for BPOE #1741, and finally was a para-professional at Hiawatha Elementary School until 1999. Donna moved to Ottawa, Kansas in 1999 to be closer to her grandchildren and to help her son, Mike, run a retail business.

She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, P.E.O. Chapter GL and the First Presbyterian Church, Hiawatha.

Donna enjoyed hosting gatherings for her family and friends. She had a warm welcoming way about her that made guests feel at home. She was nicknamed “Disco Donna” by Mike’s friends when he was in high school. Donna loved music and was quick to break out a few dance moves. She also had a great sense of humor, but will most be remembered for the love she had for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Rex and Bruce Burington.

Survivors include son, Michael Blaue and wife Becky of Ottawa; grandsons, Austin Blaue and Quentin Blaue of San Antonio, Texas; several sisters in law; along with many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa Public Library c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.