Donna Kaye Gitchel, Phillipsburg
https://www.olliffboeve.com/obituary/donna-gitchel?fh_id=12336
February 4, 1963 - June 13, 2023
Phillipsburg resident, Donna Kaye Gitchel, passed away June 13, 2023 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE at the age of 60.
Donna Kaye (Schumacher) Gitchel was born February 4, 1963 to Bessie Arlene (Kendall) Schumacher and Buddy Duane Vinsonhaler in Phillipsburg, KS. She lived in Phillipsburg her whole life. As a child Donna loved to spend time with her sister, Jeanie, and the cousins who lived nearby.
She attended school in Phillipsburg from kindergarten through high school.
Donna started dating Terry Lynn Gitchel in 1977 and they were married on Oct. 23, 1982. From this union came three daughters: Tara Rachel, Karma Kaye, and Shelby Maray. Later their niece Kim lived with them for a time and became like another daughter. Throughout the years, many others spent a lot of time at Donna and Terry's house and considered it a second home.
She worked in many areas of the community throughout the years. Donna worked as a secretary at the National Guard Armory, and as a CNA at the nursing home prior to starting a family. Then, when the girls were young, she worked in the school cafeteria to have the same schedule as the girls. She also worked at Dollar General, Loves, and Third Street Bakery for a time. Donna ran a professional cleaning business for a while as well. She also babysat and considered those kids like her own. One of her favorite jobs was running the bowling alley until it closed. Most recently Donna worked as a custodian and in the cafeteria at the school. She loved spending time with kids in many capacities.
Outside of work, Donna spent many years leading Girl Scout troops and coaching softball. She hosted some of the best sleepovers and made amazing birthday cakes. She played mud volleyball for the TAMKO Tornados and took every chance she could find to have fun with friends. She also attended many sporting events and performances for her kids, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and others in the community who asked her to come. She loved playing card games, whether it was Uno and Phase Ten with the grandkids or pitch with friends. She also loved to go hunting and fishing with Terry. Many summer days were spent at the lake camping and water skiing, which Donna was proud of considering her bad knee. She also loved riding horses, riding motorcycles, two-stepping around the dance floor, watching Terry race, traveling to numerous rodeos, and spending time with loved ones.
Donna is well known for her decorative cakes be it for a birthday party, baby shower, or other parties. Many have requested her frog-eye salad, taco salad, bierocks, and cheese cakes among many other treats throughout the years. You were never hungry at her house. She also spent much time teaching Sunday school and doing vacation bible school.
Donna died at Kearney Regional Hospital, Kearney, NE on June 13 at the age of 60.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Terry Gitchel, her mother Bessie Schumacher, her father Duane Vinsonhaler, her in-laws Melvin and Louise (Johnson) Gitchel, granddaughter Jordyn Doty, niece Shay Gitchel, and many others.
She is survived by her daughter Tara Burnham and husband Robin of Overbrook, KS; daughter Karma Steelsmith and husband Ron of Phillipsburg, KS; daughter Shelby Thomas and husband Andrew of Leavenworth, KS; niece who is like a daughter Kim Krebs and husband Fritz of Atwood, KS; sister Jeanie Scharper and husband Anthony of Mahaska, KS; sister Mary Reiter and husband Kenny of Mankato, KS; sister Shirley Bradley of Tulsa, OK; her grandchildren Halie, Kennedy, Kihyna, Wyatt, Tehya, Kameron, Garyn, Kymber, Edwyn, Kendryck, and Waelyn; her great-granddaughter Everlee; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law Merry Reeh, Dennis and Sandra Johnson, Ralph, Roy and Rick Gitchel, Sue and Bean Lacey and Don Gitchel; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jay Brandon officiating. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday and 12:00 to 9:00 Friday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions will be established.