Donna Jean EngstromFredonia, KS

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Donna Jean Luster Engstrom, 77, on December 30, 2024. She passed peacefully in Wichita, KS, surrounded by her loving family.

Donna was born on December 17, 1947, in Morrilton, Arkansas, to Horace Darr Luster and Emage Irene Scroggins Luster. She spent her childhood in nearby Springfield, where she developed a love for books, animals, and the simple joys of small-town life. Donna cherished her friendships and was an active member of Springfield’s “Hicks and Chicks” club, maintaining those bonds throughout her life. After graduating from Morrilton High School in 1965, she pursued beauty school before moving to Kansas to begin the next chapter of her story.

Married in 1965, Donna shared 59 years of marriage with her husband, Larry. Together, they raised three children, Jante, April and Slade, and were grandparents to five grandchildren who affectionately call them Mymy and Pop. Donna loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, playing games, doing crafts, and putting together puzzles. She was also a wonderful aunt and motherly figure to many nieces, nephews, little cousins, children’s friends, and Coyville kids.

Donna was a typesetter/graphic artist for Kansas Bank Note Company for nearly forty years until the company’s closure in 2010. During her time there, she built friendships that she cherished throughout her life. She continued her career, retiring from Ladow & Spohn Bank Stationers in 2016 and spending the rest of her years with Larry on the family farm. Though retired from farming and ranching themselves, they enjoyed watching the crops cycle each season, along with their chickens, horses, dogs, cats, and wildlife on the old homestead.

On April 11, 2009, she and Larry were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and she loved to share her faith and hope of future promises with others. She set a beautiful example for those around her, embodying the qualities of Galatians 5:22-23: “the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”

Donna will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtful gestures, and sweet smile. She was industrious, intelligent, creative, and loyally dedicated to her family and friends. She was a wonderful cook, gardener, partner, friend, caregiver, and all-around lovely human. She touched countless lives, leaving a lasting legacy in the memories of those who were blessed to know her.

Donna is survived by her husband, Larry, her daughters Jante Conner (Shelby) and April Engstrom, both of Fredonia; her son Slade Engstrom (Jill) of Benton; grandchildren Tucker Engstrom, Hudson Brown, Tessa Engstrom, Marley Brown, and Teagan Engstrom. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved siblings, brother Darrell Malone and sister Delores Edens.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, January 5, at Wickham Family Funeral Home. Due to forecasted inclement weather, a Zoom option will be available for those who cannot attend in person. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Fredonia Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Wilson County Old Iron Club or Fredonia Pound Pals.