Donna Joye Freeman...Age 79

VISITATION: 6-8 PM FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

SERVICE: 1:30 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015
(BOTH AT EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME)

BURIAL: OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE, KS

MEMORIAL: DONNA J. FREEMAN MEMORIAL FUND

Memorials may be sent in care of:
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.O. Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064

or

First Option Bank
Osawatomie, Kansas

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Donna Joye Freeman age 79, of Osawatomie, formerly of Paola and Ottawa, KS died Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at the Life Care Center of Osawatomie.

Donna was born January 28, 1936 in Kansas City, Kansas. She was the second child of five children born to Charles Gordon and Kate Louise (Bousman) Richeson.

She grew up in the Kansas City area and attended the Kansas City school system. Donna did not finish high school, but she was very proud to have obtained her GED shortly after leaving school.

On April 9, 1954 Donna married Everett F. Freeman in Kansas City, Kansas. They made their home in the Hickman Mills and Ruskin Heights, of the Kansas City, Missouri area. Donna was joyfully surprised when on April 26, 1955 she became the proud mother of, not just one, but twin daughters, Glora and Flora. The family later grew with the addition of their son Jeff and youngest daughter Donna.

In 1970 she and her family moved to Miami County and lived in rural Paola/Osawatomie area where they lived for many years while their children were growing up and attending school in Osawatomie.
Donna worked at several different jobs during her lifetime; one of her first was waitressing, which she did at a few different places. One of her favorites was Katz Drugs in Truman Corners Shopping Center in Grandview, Missouri. She also worked at Hyer Boot Company in Olathe, Kansas and retired from Continental Can Company in Lenexa, Kansas in the mid 1980’s.

Donna was a busy wife and mother but still found time to volunteer at many of the local nursing homes. She was a compassionate person always thinking of others first and herself last, if at all. She was a woman who had a quick wit about her that was very humorous. She was an avid bowler and bowled on women’s and couples leagues in Osawatomie, while also competing in several state tournaments. She enjoyed crafting, crocheting and was a fantastic seamstress. Donna had a natural green thumb and could revive any little failing sprout into a thriving beautiful plant.

In 1986, after 32 years Donna and Everett ended their marriage in divorce. She continued to live in Osawatomie, later living near her daughters in Ottawa, Kansas for about nine years. She also lived in the Senior Citizens apartments in Paola for many years; this was a place she thoroughly enjoyed. She was able to assist others in the complex and became quite a socialite there. In 2010, due to failing health she went to live at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers: Ralph Richeson and Otis “Happy” Richeson.

Survivors include her children: Glora (Mike) Kramer of Osawatomie, KS, Flora (Leo) McDowell of Norfolk, VA, Jeff (Sara) Freeman of Topeka, KS and Donna (Gary) McCoy of Paola, KS. Two sisters: Gay Cowick of Shawnee Mission, KS, Barbara Stain of Perry, AR, 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, many other relatives and a lifetime of friends.