Donna Mae (Debes) Brookhart passed away Monday, September 3rd, at the age of 79 with family at her side. Donna was the middle child born to Susan (Lang) and Otto Debes on April 7, 1939 in Great Bend, KS. Donna’s childhood was spent growing up on the Debes farm 3 miles northwest of Ness City, KS and attending Sacred Heart School. She graduated from Ness City High School in 1957 and attended Fort Hays State University where she was a member of the Tri Sigma sorority. She married the love of her life, Lary Brookhart, on August 9, 1958 and they had three children, Kimberly (1960), Daniel (1962) and Steven (1963). Donna had a love of fashion, so she worked at The Village Shop in Hays, KS until her young family moved back to the family farm in Ness City in 1966. While raising her family in her hometown, Donna worked several years for The Style Shop and had a 25-year career as a secretary for Greeley Gas.
Donna and Lary had many family and friends that shared their love of camping and boating. On warm weekends, the group would gather to celebrate summer at Cedar Bluff Lake. Donna and Lary were excellent dancers and loved spinning around a dance floor whether it be at a family wedding, a local dance, or in their living room. Donna also enjoyed decorating, entertaining, crafting, celebrating holidays, and spending time with family. After Lary’s death on December 12, 1991, Donna met Bill Shamberger in 1996 and enjoyed nine years with him and his family. In October 2009, Donna moved to a retirement community, Silvercrest at Deer Creek in Overland Park, KS, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She embraced her home and her life there.
Donna is preceded in death by her brother Aldon, infant sister Dianna, husband Lary, mother Sue, father Otto, and friend Bill. Left to miss her are her three children: Kim (Steve) Curtis of Grandview, MO; Dan (Brenda) Brookhart of Bradenton, FL; and Steve (Julie) Brookhart of Olathe, KS. Donna loved spending time with her six grandchildren: Mackenzie and Chase Curtis of Kansas City, MO; Alison and Logan Brookhart of Bradenton, FL; and Rachel and Riley Brookhart of Olathe, KS; and her great-grandson, Kade Henderson (Mackenzie). Donna is also missed by Lary’s sister, Karlynn Fabrizius Yanke (Wakeeney, KS) and her family, as well as Lang and Debes cousins, nieces and nephews; her lifelong friends from Ness City; and her new friends at Silvercrest.
Per Donna’s wishes, she has been cremated. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 20th, at 5:30 p.m. at Silvercrest at Deer Creek, 13060 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS. A Visitation will be held Friday, September 21st, 6 to 8 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 207 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Ness City, KS. A Catholic mass will be held Saturday, September 22nd, 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 510 South School Street, Ness City, KS, followed by burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School, Ness City, KS. Condolences can be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.
