Donna J. (Line) Shoemaker

    Obituary of Donna J. Shoemaker

          Donna Joyce (Line) Shoemaker, the daughter of Malcolm H. and Gladys M. (Haldeman) Line, was born September 26, 1939, in Sabetha, Kansas.  She passed away October 21, 2020, at the Belleville Health Care Center at the age of 81.  She grew up on her family’s farm northwest of Haddam, KS built by her Grandpa Haldeman and his dad, where she made many wonderful memories with her younger brother, Duane.  She attended school in Haddam, graduating in 1957.  Following high school, Donna attended Clark Business School in Topeka and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for a short time.

        Introduced by a mutual friend, Donna met the love of her life, Marvin Shoemaker, at a Methodist Youth Fellowship meeting in 1955.  Their blind date turned into a happy courtship. They were married on April 19, 1958 and lived on the farm south of Narka for almost 60 years.  When Donna’s health began to decline, they moved to Belleville in 2017.  To this union of over 62 years, they were blessed with two children, Frank L. Shoemaker and Janet R. (Shoemaker) Fisher. 

        As a busy farm wife and homemaker, Donna had many projects going at the same time.  She was a mother, cook, gardener, seamstress and a truck driver during harvest.  She worked at the Republic County USDA Farm Service Agency, retiring after 20 years.  During her retirement, she spent many hours researching and writing family history books with information she gathered from interviews, newspaper clippings and pictures. She delighted in her grandchildren and loved to bake her special cookies and candies for them at Christmas.  She had many interests and hobbies that included studying history, crafting and sewing.

        Donna was active in her community as a member of the Narka Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder, moderator of Narka Presbyterian Women, and attended bible studies with her friends. For many years, she was a Community Leader of the Narka 4-H club and served as the Clothing project leader.

          Music was always a gift she loved to share throughout her life as a vocalist, organist and pianist.  She was a member of the Ophel Chapter 115 Eastern Star and served as the Grand Organist at the Kansas Grand Chapter in 1982-83. She thoroughly enjoyed her music ministry, singing and playing the organ and piano for church, weddings and funerals.  One of her greatest loves was singing with Marvin and her dear friends in the gospel group, “The Ten Pieces.”

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Duane L. Line, great grandsons, Kyler Allen Shoemaker, Brantley Ethan Shoemaker, great granddaughter, Ashley Faith Shoemaker, brothers-in-law, Paul F. Shoemaker, and Robert L. Baetz.

            Donna is survived by her husband, Marvin Shoemaker, Belleville, son, Frank (Lynette) Shoemaker, Marysville, Kansas, daughter, Janet (Abe) Fisher, Brookfield, WI.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Laura (Mark) Fincham, Ankeny, IA, Rex (Kaitlyn) Shoemaker, Maxwell, IA, Caleb Fisher, Pratt, KS, Connor Fisher, Manhattan, KS; Creighton Fisher, Brookfield, WI; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Afton, Emery, and Anika Fincham of Ankeny, IA,  Aaron, Mashea, Addyson, and Raleigh Shoemaker of Maxwell, IA, and sisters-in-law, Rosalie Line, Washington, KS, Sylvia Shoemaker, Narka, KS, and Margaret Baetz, Branson, MO.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Donna Shoemaker Memorial.

          Private family funeral services will be held Saturday, October 24, 2020, Narka Presbyterian Church, Narka, Kansas, conducted By Pastor Phil Goombi.

          Private Family Interment will be made in Ida Cemetery, Rural Munden, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Donna J. Shoemaker Memorial Fund.

           Friends may call on Friday, October 23, 2020 from 1 PM to 8 PM at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS

           Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

           Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS in charge of arrangements.

DUE TO THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES WITH COVID-19, WE KINDLY SUGGEST THAT YOU WEAR A MASK

AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING WHEN YOU ATTEND THE VISITATION OR SERVICES.   THANK YOU

THE SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED VIA FACEBOOK ON THE BACHELOR-FAULKNER-DART-SURBER FUNERAL HOMES FACEBOOK PAGE

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna J. (Line) Shoemaker, please visit our floral store.