Donna M. Shoemaker

Donna M. Shoemaker, Paola, Kansas, passed away September 9, 2009, at her home in rural Paola, Kansas. Donna was born, June 8, 1940, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Harold and Marie Heary. She graduated from Rosedale High School, in 1958. She attended college at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Donna met Ralph W. Shoemaker, at the Olathe Bowl, in 1967, and was united in marriage on July 14, 1967. In 1968 they moved to Paola where they made a home with their combined five children for 28 years, until Ralph"s death in 1996. Donna remained in the home for the remainder of her life. During her years in Paola, she worked at Inter Coligic Press for three years before becoming a homemaker for ten years. She then went to work for Whites Auto for thirteen years before leaving to go to work for Trans Am Trucking where she remained until her retirement in 2005. Donna continued to work part time until May of 2009, while still fighting cancer. Donna and Ralph were very active with the wrestling club, while their three sons were in middle school. They enjoyed working with the Willow Branch 4th Club. They enjoyed traveling, camping, bowling, flower gardening and spending time with their large and extended family. Donna was an avid KU fan. She was able to attend the Final Four in 2008 courtesy of Trans-Am trucking. She was featured in the Miami Republic showing all her memorabilia of a KU fan forever. Donna became a member of the Plum Creek Methodist Church and always looked forward to her and Bobbie Jo dressing up and going to worship on Sunday mornings together. She will be greatly missed by all, especially her family. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Ralph, mother Marie, father, Harold, brother Robert, and three grandsons. Survivors, include her daughter Bobbie Jo, of the home, son Mark and Desi Shoemaker, of Olathe, Kansas, son David Shoemaker, of Paola, Kansas, step-daughter Brenda and Ron Fritts, of Paola, Kansas, sep-son Marty and Jodi Shoemaker, of Osawatomie, Kansas, eleven grandkids and eleven great grandkids. Services will be Saturday September 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM with visitation Friday evening from 6-8 PM at the Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, Paola, Kansas In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Plum Creek Methodist Church. To leave a special message for the family, please visit our website at www.PenwellGabelPaola.com.