Donna L. Staats

Donna Lee (Bayless) Staats passed on March 14, 2025 in Overland Park, Kansas at the age of 85. Donna was born on February 18, 1940 to Albert C. Bayless and Nova Lenor (Nivens) Bayless in Coquille, Oregon. She was raised in Carthage, Missouri, attended Hawthorne Elementary and graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1958 where she served as class secretary and captain of the cheerleading squad. She was baptized at the First Christian Church in Carthage, Missouri on February 28, 1956.

Donna was united in marriage with Bobbie Lee Staats on May 5, 1961 in Miami, Oklahoma in a unique ceremony that also celebrated her mother’s marriage to Joe B. Ware. Bob and Donna moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1962 as Bob continued his position with Carthage Marble Corp. Donna worked in various administrative support positions, then raised her family and returned to the work force at age 37 with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. She enjoyed early retirement in 1995 after 18 years serving as a legal secretary.

In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Bobbie Lee Staats, her sister Barbara J. Hogard, brother-in-law R. Wayne Hogard, nephew Ron Hogard, stepfather Joe B. Ware and her sisters-in-law Mary Ward and Betty Yokum.

Survivors include son Curtis Lee Staats (Mary Sue), and daughter Bobbie Michelle Hanneman (David), five grandsons and two granddaughters: C.J. Staats (Jodi), Brett Hanneman (Samantha), Madison Staats, Bradley Hanneman (Breanna), Clayton Staats (Macee), Blake Hanneman, and Mackenzie Staats (betrothed Nick). She also had five great grandchildren: Austyn Staats, Nova Staats, Miles Hanneman, Marlee Staats and Elaine Staats and was excited about two more arriving in 2025! Cousin Rick West (and family) as well as niece Laurie Mueller (Henry) and great niece Alexa Mueller along with extended family and friends who were also close to her heart.

She is also survived by a beloved extended family of children from her union with Bob including: Larry Staats (Nicky), Gloria Staats (Jim), Pam Huebner (Larry), Randy Staats (Pam), with six grandchildren: Christy Staats, Leslie Erickson (Chuck), Angela Bertocchini (Tony), Amanda Blodgett (Will), Kyle Staats (Jennifer), Alex Huebner (Sadie); nine great grandchildren (and one arriving in 2025): Reece and Paige Erickson, Alessia and Olivia Bertocchini, Lillyan and James Staats, Georgia and Abigail Huebner and Hallie Blodgett.

Services in celebration of Donna’s life will be held on Saturday, March 22, at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be from 10:00am–11:00am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00am.