Dana went to Victoria High School and attended Fashion Merchandising School in Dallas with degrees in Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising. She often modeled at The Market in Dallas.
She worked in the family business, Leo’s Restaurant, as manager and bookkeeper and at Peak Oilfield Services in Human Resources.
Her passion was animal rescue, offshore fishing, hunting, and helping others. She put a lot of her energy into rescuing animals, most of which never left her home. Her greatest hunting expedition took her to Africa. Dana never met a stranger, and was always doing selfless acts of kindness to others. She often helped organize benefits for others sick with cancer, even when she was sick herself.
She is survived by her husband Myke Whitaker; Sons, Blaine and Keaton Crabb, Sister Debbie Esterak Pilsner, Grandmother, Betty Jean Leatherwood; Aunts Darla Thomas (Randy), and Sandy Leatherwood, cousins Sean Fanelli (Kelly), Sara Harding (Randy) and Kevin Leatherwood (Alyson).
She was preceded in death by her father, James F. Witte; Mother, Carol Jean Anderson; Grandfather, Arthur Leatherwood and Uncle, David Leatherwood.
Pallbearers are Ann Fletcher, Delma Beckner, Kim Ellis, Tina Lowe, Beth Hough, Lori Hotz, Kim Buesing and Rachel Stasney.
Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Lowe, Phil Beckner, and Abel Alvarez.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 5-7 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be Friday, May 17, 2019 at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church located at 407 N. Bridge St, Victoria. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens.
Memorial Donations may be made to Broken Arrow German Shepherd Rescue at PO Box 381, Christoval, Texas, 76935, or Hospice of South Texas Inpatient Center at 1005 Mallette Dr., Victoria, TX 77904.
A special Thank You to all of the ladies at Hospice of South Texas.
Share condolences at www.rosewoodfunerachapel.com.