Donna Jean Bunk

Donna Jean Bunk, age 73, passed away at her home on December 1, 2023. Born November 2, 1950 in Moundridge, KS to Harry and Jane (Phillips) Harms. Preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara Craig of Enterprise, and husband Joe. Survived by brothers Lloyd Harms of Hoisington and Rod Harms of Santa Fe, NM; sisters Linda Harms-Harris of Anita, IA and Karen Harms-Brown of Derby.

As a young girl, Donna grew up in Potwin, KS and attended her freshman year at Fredrick Remington High School. In 1965, the Harms family moved to Hoisington, KS where Donna attended Hoisington High School her sophomore through senior years. Upon graduation, she attended Ft. Hays St. Univ. and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

Following graduation, Donna taught two years in the Topeka Public School System. In 1974, she married Joe Bunk, who was also from Hoisington. Upon their marriage, they moved to Wichita where Donna taught kindergarten and first grade for 30 years at OK Elementary School. Donna obtained a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from WSU and was dedicated to teaching young children for 32 rewarding years.

Donna and Joe were devoted to each other for 40 years of marriage and proved a charismatic team of two. The Wichita community knew the Bunks for their philanthropic gifts. For many years following Joe’s passing, Donna continued to raise funds for multiple nonprofits by either hosting dinners in her home or donating bottles of wine from Joe’s cherished wine cellar to auctions benefiting nonprofits.

Throughout her life, Donna shared her skills in the kitchen with family as well as friends. Guests considered “Dinner at Donna’s” a genuine pleasure. She believed the art of entertaining was in the details – whether it was creating a centerpiece of flowers with her own hands, folding napkins into unique shapes for each placemat, or serving multiple course meals with ease. At the holidays, everyone in the know wanted to be included on Donna’s list to receive either gift bags of her decorated sugar cookies or her homemade crescent rolls with honey butter.

Those who were acquainted with Donna would describe her as caring, genuinely thoughtful, and a woman of grace. Donna loved and appreciated nature’s beauty in the changing seasons, in the flowers in her yard, and watching the bluebirds visit her feeder. Donna lived by the motto: “Life should be measured not by the number of years, but rather by the love shared, the memories made, the joy given, and the blessings received.”

A memorial service is set for Saturday, December 16, 2:00 pm at Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel, 12100 E 13th St. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Joe and Donna Bunk Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation, 303 S. Broadway, Suite 100 Wichita, KS 67202. The beneficiaries of this endowment are BSA Quivira Council, Rainbows United, and the Wichita Art Museum.