Donna Dempewolf

On November 24, 1930, Donna D Horton, the fifth child of six children, entered this mortal world of humanity. Her parents, Blanche (Wilcox) and George M. Horton lived on a farm east of Lucerne, in Sheridan County, Kansas.

Life on the farm, in a community of many neighbors, in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s was challenging, fun, hard work, boring at times, interesting and sometimes sad. Along with her siblings, she attended Prairie View #10 (Lucerne) country school.

After WWII began, many changes occurred for all of the Horton family. The change for Donna was living in Lenora, KS and attending high school. After the war, she met “Buzz” (A.F.) Dempewolf and they were later married.

Their first home was in Russell, KS and over a year later, they moved to Norton, KS. At that time, Donna worked for Duckwalls. They later moved to Colby, KS where they resided for the next 40 years and raised their five children. She worked at Duckwalls in Colby, and later for JCPenney’s. In 1958, Southwestern Bell was hiring, she applied for the job and remained there for 23 years until her retirement.

Upon her husband’s retirement from Great Plains Electric, he started his own business of custom harvesting, and they traveled through Oklahoma up to the Dakotas to Canada. In 1988, they moved to Lenora, KS to be closer to their farming.

After the death of her husband in 1989, Donna remained in Lenora. She managed her farming, traveled a lot visiting her family and friends. She participated in various organizations while living in both Colby and Lenora. She particularly loved working with the Blood Bank in Colby and the Nutrition Council at the Lenora Senior Center in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. She enjoyed the Tuesday Bridge Club and The Pollyanna Club. Three of her greatest enjoyments were researching eight generations of family lineage, studying biblical history and helping others when needed.

Donna was also a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary and a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Colby and later the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Norton.

Donna passed from this life on January 15, 2024. To mourn her passing are her children, sons Gary and Debra (Jamison) Dempewolf of Emporia, KS, JD and Cynthia (Pyle) Dempewolf of Morrill, KS, Dick and Becky (Hayes) Dempewolf of Colby, KS, and daughters Lisa and Jim Cech of Hays, KS and Christol and Rod Wolf of Peyton, CO. 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and close friends.

Donna was the last survivor of her childhood family, preceding her in death are her parents, brothers; Loren and wife Delphia Horton, William Horton, killed in WWII, Ben and wife Rosa Horton, Jim and wife Laura Horton and sister, Ann Hinds.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, followed by a private family inurnment. All are invited to join the family for lunch soon after for comradery and celebration of Donna’s life and friendship. Memorials may be made to Thomas County Historical Society and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com