Donna Mae Haffner (Kraft)
January 9, 1941 - November 18, 2023
Donna Mae (Kraft) Haffner, surrounded by her loving family, peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 18, 2023.Donna was born to John and Leoba (Mense) Kraft on January 9, 1941, at the family’s farm north of Park, Kansas.
She was the third of five children. Donna attended school in Park and following graduation, attended and graduated from Parks Business College in Denver, Colorado.
During her time in college, she began dating a young farmer from just up the road of her childhood home. George Haffner won her heart, they married and settled into farm life north of Park, Kansas. She took pride in their farm's homeplace and worked hard to keep it nearly immaculate.
Soon, two children, Charles (Chuck) and Kathleen (Kathy), joined the union. Next in the pack were Gerald (Jerry), Eugene, and Mary. A “late-comer” named Julie arrived receiving the title of "baby of the family." Much to everyone’s surprise, Ryan later stole that title, as the youngest of seven, and was the tiebreaker in the count battle of girls versus boys. It was some of these same blessings from heaven, who shall remain nameless, that contributed to Donna's gray hairs.
Donna was a devoted mother and poured her life into not just her biological children but many nieces, nephews, and friends of her kids. She was known to pack up the children in the family car and take day trips across Kansas exploring and learning together. Sometimes friends and cousins were included in the travel, and it was fortunate that these adventures occurred before the days of seatbelt laws. Donna encouraged her children and others to be their best and reach for goals that some may have deemed too difficult. She was often seen at events cheering for her kids and the home team.
Donna's love was unconditional, she continually prayed for her children, who eventually grew up and had families of their own. The resulting grandchildren were her pride and joy.
If raising a large family wasn't enough, Donna would use her time and talents to serve the community, and her car's odometer reflected that. Some of her many activities included membership of the Sacred Heart parish's altar society, lectoring and singing at church. Donna served multiple terms on the Wheatland school board. She assisted local elderly, for many years, through FHSU's Senior Companion program. She became a CNA at the Hoxie hospital. Donna was even an entrepreneur and owned "Donna's Noodles," supplying local businesses and families with homemade egg noodles. Her social and volunteer calendar was full. Later in life she took it upon herself to coordinate social activities at the Grinnell senior center and her retirement home in Salina.
She was an independent woman who wasn't afraid to defy societal norms, was a lifelong learner, enjoyed traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Donna was innovative, even in later years, like when she fabricated and executed an escape from her retirement home at the start of Covid, much to her family's dismay, which in the end proved to be a brilliant plan for her sanity and well-being.
While she lived a beautiful life, it wasn't always easy. She experienced deaths of beloved family and friends, challenges of weather and markets out of her control on the farm, and other issues that life threw her way. She never lost hope or her positive attitude. She expected nothing less from her family. In later years, she continued to be a shining example of honoring one's marriage vows as she faithfully served her husband George, of forty-eight years, as he suffered dementia. She stayed true until the end.
Time is a thief and recently stole some of her independence and health she once knew. She spent the last six years of her life at the Presbyterian Manor in Salina. “The Manor” proved to be the perfect place for her and she quickly became acquainted with her fellow residents, caring staff, and participated in a variety of engaging activities. With the help of her family, friends, and transportation of Presbyterian Manor, she was able to remain active outside the home as her health would allow.
Cards became a favorite pastime, and she was highly competitive in games like "pitch" and "kings in the corner." "Booyah!" was her battle cry when she smoked someone after a lively card game. She played to win!
To know Donna was to love her. To be known by Donna was to be loved by her. She truly knew no strangers and the world is a better place because of her. We will miss the twinkle in her eye, contagious laugh, wisdom, and love.
Most important to Donna, besides her family and friends, was her Catholic faith. She was a devoted follower of Christ and ensured these eternal values were instilled in her children. It's because of this faith, we are assured this goodbye is temporary and we look forward to being reunited with her one day.
She was preceded in death by husband George Haffner, her parents John Kraft and Leoba Mense Kraft, brothers Donald, Robert, and Ronald Kraft, and sister Kathy Boxler-Denning.
Donna is survived by her four sons, Charles Haffner (Lisa), Wichita, Gerald Haffner (Joan), Hutchinson, Eugene Haffner (Melissa), Overland Park, and Ryan Haffner (Laura), Hays; three daughters, Kathleen Schmidtberger (Arnold), Salina, Mary Rossman (Jason), Hoisington, and Julie Carroll (Brian), Great Bend; nineteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild on the way, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 3-4:00 p.m. with a vigil at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park, KS. A Memorial Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m., with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., Monday, November 27, 2023, at Sacred Heart Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Park or the Salina Presbyterian Manor and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.
For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.