Dona Baushke

Dona Lee Hunter Baushke was born January 2, 1928 to John Charles and Laura Mae Hunter in Galveston, Texas. She graduated from Ball High School in May 1944 at the age of 16. She worked as a legal secretary for 5 years, and moved to Fort Worth in September 1951. In November 1952, she met the love of her life, Staff Sergeant Roland T. (Rolly) Baushke. They were married on February 14, 1953. Dona worked for over 20 years as an executive secretary for Welex Jet Services, which later became FreightMaster, a Division of Halliburton. She then worked for 8 years as a bookkeeper at Nolan Catholic High School.

After her retirement, Dona volunteered at J.T. Stevens Elementary School. She loved children. While volunteering, she was honored with a life time membership in the PTA.

Above all, Dona loved her family, and was blessed with two daughters. Dona loved travelling with Rolly, enjoying many cruises and a special trip to Hawaii, usually with her brother and many friends. Dona had a lifelong love for dancing, and continued to dance into her last year on earth. She enjoyed playing Bingo and was a big fan of the Texas Rangers.

Dona’s labor of love was caring for Rolly after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She promised him that she would never put him in a nursing home, and she was able to be his sole caregiver at home until his death in 2010.

Dona was preceded in death by her husband; infant son, Gary; parents; brother, Tom; and sister, Patsy.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Jones and Patti (Bill) Brennan; grandchildren, Austin (Amy) Jones, Kelly (Troy) Chase, Evan Jones, Kyle Brennan, Kathleen Brennan and Colin Jones; her great-granddaughters, Camryn Chase and Blake Jones; and her companion Chihuahua, Prissy/Buddy.