Donna Lea Chambers was born in Allison, Kansas, on January 29, 1931, to Archie Theodore and Ruby (Rolland) McKenna. She attended school in Oberlin and graduated from Decatur Community High School with the class of 1948.
In 1948, Donna married Robert Chambers in Oberlin, Kansas. The couple would have eight children together. They would later divorce. In her lifetime, Donna made homes in McCook, Nebraska, Oberlin, Kansas, and in Hays, Kansas. In Hays, she worked at the High Plains Medical Health Center for over 25 years as a secretary and clerk. Donna worked hard all her life to support her family.
Donna enjoyed sewing and quilting. She made quilts for many of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking and loved to travel. She took countless trips with the family and saw most of the Continental United States. She also took many cruises and countless bus tours, one traveling through Canada and Alaska. Above all, Donna was a proud mother and grandmother. She enjoyed her grandchildren’s many activities and especially cherished the family trips to Chadron to watch Eagle Football games in the fall.
Donna passed away Sunday morning, November 20, 2022, at Community Hospital in McCook. She was 91 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edward McKenna; sister, Pat Hartzog; and an infant child. Donna was the last survivor in her immediate family of her generation.
Survivors include her children: son, Robert (Julie) Chambers of Conifer, Colorado; Daughter, Barbara Higgins of Treasure Island, Florida; son, Don (Mary Jo) Chambers of Hays, Kansas; son, Jerry (Frani) Chambers of McCook; daughter, Janet (Dick) Haag of Indianola, Nebraska; daughter, Anita Chambers of McCook and son, Doug (Rhonda) Chambers of Culpeper, Virginia; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Gloria McKenna of Colby, Kansas.
Visitation will be held from 4-6PM on Sunday afternoon, November 27, 2022, at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.
Funeral Services will be held at 11AM, Monday morning, November 28, 2022, at the First Congregational Church in McCook with Pastor Steve Bales officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2PM, Monday afternoon at the Oberlin Cemetery in Oberlin, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the McCook Humane Society in Donna’s name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.