Donna Lou Engel, age 90, of Oakley, entered into eternal life on August 31, 2022 in Wichita, Kansas.

Donna Lou Engel said goodbye to her earthly life and hello to God on August 31, 2022, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  The only daughter of Louis and Anna Orth Kraus, Andale, Kansas, she entered this world with a bang on July 4, 1932.  She lived a full life dedicated to her creator and the service of others.  Her Catholic faith was her everlasting light and illuminated her path always.

Donna graduated from Andale High School as class Valedictorian and Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, graduating with honors with a major in music and minor in English.  She heeded the call to go west and found herself teaching in Grainfield, when a young suitor by the name of Wilfred Engel came calling.  After consulting with her landlord, Donna decided that it would be okay to go out with an Engel boy; they enjoyed an early 50's Western Kansas courtship marrying in 1957 in Andale.  They celebrated 65 years of marriage on March 2, 2022. Donna always told the story of Wilfred showing up for their first date without his wallet, courtesy of his helpful cronies.  Donna said goodbye to her life's love on April 29, 2022, when Wilfred passed.

Donna was a loving mother to eight children:  four boys and four girls.  Always the clandestine teacher, she entertained and kept the peace amongst the girls with spelling words during the never-ending chore of feeding and cleaning up after a family of ten.  The smell of fresh baked bread was a bi-weekly occurrence along with everything homemade or home grown.  The kids thought they were really missing out by not getting store purchased cookies, cakes, pies, breads, and margarine; they found out later in life what they "missed."  Donna spent her summers tending her prolific garden.  Every year she canned and freezed a copious volume of home produce.  A meal on the farm was never complete without a jar of her dill pickles on the table.  She passed along her love of everything domestic to her children by learned example and the community support and education 4-H also provided.  Donna took joy in her endless flowers and shared roots with anyone wanting a start.  Her attention to detail, astute memory, and generosity accompanied Donna all the days of her life.

Donna solidified her niche in Western Kansas through her music.  Primarily a violinist and choir director, she shared her talents at her church, St. Paul's of Angelus, and the community orchestra, Pride of The Prairie, Colby, for many, many years.  After the kids were grown, Donna enjoyed playing in the community quartet that entertained at nursing homes, banks, and other venues.  Playing the violin at weddings was a special honor she deeply cherished, and it attested to her value in the music community.  Donna's beautiful voice was enjoyed at the Angelus church for 65 years as was her direction and leadership.  Donna passed her love of music to her children; they were her own mini orchestra with all eight kids playing different instruments.  She spent many years writing quartets for her kids' 4-H performances.

Donna (and Wilfred) were the last surviving members of their respective families.  Donna is survived by her eight children including:  Dave (Bonnie) Engel of Springfield, CO; Jolene (Ted) Robinette of Cheyenne, WY; Leah (Dan) Davied of San Antonio, TX; Steve (Anne) Engel of Aurora, CO; Cynthia (Alan) Smith of Sykesville, MD; Sheryl (Clay) Appl of Wichita, KS; Dan (Chrissy) Engel of Wichita, KS; and Ron Engel of Ravenna, NE.  Donna is survived by 23 grand children and 8 great-grand children as well as sister-in-law JoAnn Engel and special friend, Kathy Spencer, both of Oakley, and Kathy Engel of Metairie, LA.  Nieces and nephews too numerous to mention individually also held a special place in her heart.

Preceding Donna in eternal life was Wilfred Engel, parents Louis and Anna Kraus, Vincent and Juanita Kraus, Vernon "Bud" and Margie Kraus, as well as in laws: Peter and Amelia Engel, Clarence and Lidwina Engel, Flitzita and Joe Kaiser, Henry Engel, Mary and Bernard Prewo, Joseph and Evelyn Engel, Ignatius Engel, Paul Engel, Ralph and Esther Engel, and Felix Engel.  Donna also survived nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2022 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Angelus with Fr. Luke Thielen officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorials to the American Cancer Society and The Lord's Diner (Wichita, KS) may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS  67748.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com