Donna Lea Needels

Born December 21, 1931, in La Crosse, Kansas, Donna spent her first 18 years on the family farm near Larned, Kansas, with her parents, Floyd and Fleeta (Hess) Gibson, and her sister, Irene Hiebert. Those early years helped shape the devoted and hard-working character for which she would be known throughout her life.

Donna earned her degree in Elementary Education from Ft.Hays Kansas State College, which has since become Kansas State University. She loved young children and brought patience, kindness, and humor to her work, teaching elementary school in Kansas and later Preschool in Texas and California. Later in life, she continued her career as an administrative assistant in Los Angeles and Chicago.

On September 21, 1952, she married Foster Reid Needels. Together they lived all over the world before finally settling in Texas prior to retirement, building a life marked by devotion, generosity, and an adventurous willingness to embrace wherever life led.

Donna found joy in camping, reading, and making music. She took special delight in hearing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren playing music and performing in plays and musicals—moments that reflected the deep love and pride she carried for her family.

Donna was preceded in death by her son, Dwight L. Needels; husband, Foster R. Needels; and sister, Irene Gibson Hiebert.

Donna is survived by her daughters, Jeannette N. Duke and her husband Bob, and Cynthia A. Perez and her husband Henry; former daughter-in-law, Theresa Needels Pollock; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.