Donna L. Gartner

Donna L. Gartner, 84, of Independence, Kansas passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Gran Villas Assisted Living.
Donna Lee Gartner was born July 20, 1935 in rural Independence where the Elk City Reservoir currently is now, the daughter of Charles Herbert Spradling and Reta Mae (Hadley) Spradling. She went to White Post Country School, a one room school from 1st grade thru 8th grade. She graduated from Independence High School in 1953 and graduated from Independence Junior College in 1955.
On May 3, 1958 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Independence she was united in marriage to Richard Charles Edward Gartner and he preceded her in death September 19, 2012.
Donna worked for Charles Stewart Insurance while she was going to Junior College. After graduating she was employed with Electra Manufacturing from 1955 until January of 1959. She then was a homemaker and helped out on the farm.
She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, various women’s groups at the church, 4-H Leader of Valley Victors 4-H Club, Montgomery County Fair Board, Montgomery County Extension Council and Sycamore/West Cherry Township Election Board.
Donna enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, flowers, and teaching Sunday School for 45 years.
Survivors include, one daughter, Sharon Blaes and her husband Wayne of Cherryvale, Kansas, one son, Stan Gartner and his wife Rayanne of Independence, Kansas, 4 grandchildren, Shane Blaes and his wife Kayla, Grant Gartner, Shannon Blaes, Gordon Gartner and his wife Tria, great grandson, Gradon Dean Gartner and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended family the staff and residents of the Gran Villas Assisted Living.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Charles Spradling, sister, Joline (Spradling) Newmaster, niece, Linda (Spradling) Bringham Martin, nephew, Alan Bringham, sister in law, Delores (Heckman) Spradling and brother in law, August Simonsen.
Friends may sign the register book from 12Noon until 4:00 P.M., Friday, August 16, 2019 at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th, Cherryvale, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday, August 16, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, 215 South 10th Street, Independence, Kansas.
Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Kevin Peterson, officiating.
Interment will take place in the Lutheran Cemetery in Independence.
In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church and they may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home.