Donna Jean Ward Schif, 80, Bonner Springs, KS, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021 at home surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, followed by a Memorial Service at 7pm, both June 18th at the Bonner Springs United Methodist Church. Graveside Committal Service will be 11:00am, Saturday, June 19th at the Graceland Cemetery, Burlington, Kansas. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Bonner Springs United Methodist Church.
Donna was born June 4, 1940 in Wichita, KS, the daughter of Maxwell Eugene Ward and Susie Ellen Heimer Ward. She grew up in Kansas and graduated from Burlington High School in 1958. In 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Lee Schif, in Burlington, KS. Donna loved being a Mom and a Granny. Donna also spent several years working as a secretary at State Farm. While her children were young, she enjoyed being a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Room Mom, and Cooking Leader and Sewing Leader for Chaparral 4-H club. As her grandchildren grew, she enjoyed supporting them in their activities, hosting sleepovers, and family gatherings. Donna's hobbies included gardening, cooking, and sewing. She was a member of Bonner Springs United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and the Bonner Springs Gardening Club. In her final years, she made hundreds of quilts and blankets for Children's Mercy and baked thousands of cookies for Feed His Lambs.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Larry; her son, Alan Schif; and her brother-in-laws, Gene Snyder, Ken Haverfield, and Randall Schif. She is survived by her son, Arlen Schif of Lincoln, NE; her daughter, Kerry Schif Stumbough and husband Roy of Bonner Springs, KS; daughter-in-law, Susan Chamberlain Schif of Bonner Springs, KS; sisters Maxine Haverfield of Shawnee, KS and Carol Snyder of Rushville, NE and sister-in-law LaVerne Smith of Burlington, KS; her 5 grandchildren, Madison Lynn, Abigail Marie, Ryan Eugene, Olivia Jean and Audrey Katharine; and her great-granddaughter Miliana Jean.