Donna Jean Burgess

A Celebration of Life for Donna Jean Burgess, 99, Lawrence, will be held at 11:00 a.m.,  Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at West Side Presbyterian Church in Lawrence.  The family will greet friends immediately following the service.  Private burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.  She passed away Thursday, February 15, 2024 at her home.

Donna was born on May 5, 1924 in Hutchinson, KS, the daughter of Ora M. and Jean B. (Griffith) Carpenter.  She grew up in a rural setting beginning her schooling in a one room schoolhouse near Garnett, KS.  She participated in 4-H and played clarinet in the marching band.  She attended the University of Kansas earning her Bachelor’s Degree.

She was a longtime member of West Side Presbyterian Church where she actively participated in Sunday School, Martha Circle, and LINK.  She and her husband also participated in Mariners (Presbyterian Couples Group) and Square Dancing.  She enjoyed Shirley Temple movies, reading and writing poetry, collecting fancy teacups and dolls, listening to Bing Crosby and Anne Murray music, and reading country home decorating magazines.  She had a great sense of humor and loved her family.   

She married Arden D. Burgess on November 6, 1949 in Lawrence.  He preceded her in death on October 3, 2014.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and twin brother, Duane O. Carpenter.  Survivors include two daughters, Leilani Burgess, Lawrence, Jeanne Johnson, Dayton, OH; and two grandchildren, Tyler Burgess and Channing Burgess.

Memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, KS  66044.