Donna Louise Davidson Jones born February 5, 1930 in Byron, Nebraska. She passed into life eternal on February 1, 2024 at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas, at age 93. She spent her childhood in Byron until she graduated high school.
Donna was in nursing school when she married Victor M. Jones June 5, 1949 but had to stop as married women were not allowed in nursing school at that time. Never the less, she was a gifted caregiver and spent a lifetime taking care of her family and volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes wherever she lived.
Donna was an extraordinary musician and vocalist. She saw all of life through song. Music was her ministry to the Lord and outreach to people. She spent her whole life playing piano and organ, singing, directing, and arranging in every church and organization she was a part of until 2020 and frail health prevented it. Our mother was not capable of sitting in the same room with a piano and not playing it. She'd make her way over and play and sing and then have everyone in the room sing along.
Donna and Victor had an adventurous life and moved many times for her husband's work as an engineer for Phillips Petroleum Co. They lived in Caney, Kansas; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Idaho Falls, Idaho; London, England (once in 1975 then 1978-1980); Oslo, Norway (1975-1978) and back to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After retirement to Idaho Falls, Idaho, they bought an RV and spent winters traveling to sunny climates.
They were introduced to square dancing in Norway and resumed this interest years later when they moved back to Bartlesville. They were very active in the local square dance club and traveled across the region for conventions and competitions. Donna loved the swirling, colorful costumes and petticoats as well as the action and intricacy of the calls and music.
Traveling was a favorite pasttime for Donna and Victor. They spent their 30th wedding anniversary in Monaco for the Grand Prix and saw Princess Grace in the opening ceremony. Donna went to Rome with girlfriends in 1977. Her most treasured adventure was a nine month Bible study culminating in a trip to Israel in 1979. As a widow she continued travel with a two week cruise from Seattle, Washington, through the Panama Canal to Florida. Donna split time in Clyde, Kansas, and Mesa, Arizona, where her family loved to visit until ill health brought her to Agenda, Kansas, for the last nine years.
She was always an active volunteer for church and community in every city she lived. The PEO group in Clyde, Kansas, was special to her. She enjoyed serving on the Board to award scholarships to women for higher education.
She did enjoy a little bling but above all her friends, family and Savior were the most important things in her life.
She will be sorely missed but because of her abiding faith in Jesus Christ that she passed to her children, we can confidently say we will see you later.
Donna is survived by three children, Victor A. Jones of Laramie, Wyoming, Dana (Bambi Burris) Jones of Agenda, Kansas, and Pam (Mark) Wallace of Shawnee, Kansas; six grandchildren, Sarah Jones of Reno, Nevada, Goldie Jones of Los Angeles, California, Nicholas Wallace of Richland, Washington, Victor Wallace of Olathe, Kansas, Peter (PJ) Wallace of Shawnee, Kansas, Wade (Allie) Evans of Joplin, Missouri; one great-granddaughter, Star Evans; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church, Belleville, Kansas, with Pastor Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating.
Interment will follow at the Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, Kansas.
Friends may call from 1 PM until 7 PM on Friday, February 9, at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas, where the family will greet friends from 6 PM until 7 PM on Friday.
Memorials are suggested to the P.E.O. Clyde Chapter, Clyde, Kansas.
Online condolences may be sent to www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.