Donna Louise Schaal was born Oct. 6, 1929, in Ulysses, Kan., the oldest of four children of Daniel Isaac Gay and Mildred- Lucille Leighty Gay.  She departed her life on earth on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000.

Donna's parents and family moved from Satanta, Kan., to Burlington in 1943 when she was a freshman in high school, and she received her diploma from Burlington High School. Donna was married in 1947 and was the mother of three children: Ronald Dean, Pamela Gaye and Randy Lee Gross. She took pride in her children and grandchildren and was always ready to help them in any way she could.

Donna loved to play the; organ and was the organist at, the Methodist Church for some time. She was a secretary and storekeeper at Peoples Natural Gas Co. for 28 years and has been retired for seven years. Donna married Clifford Schaal on Dec. 18, 1964. They both later joined the Hope Congregational Church. Donna and Clifford have spent their winters in Chandler, Ariz., since her retirement. She loved to golf and enjoyed living in Arizona where she could golf often.  The last year she had been suffering from diabetes, which confined her to a wheelchair.  Over the last year Cliff has been there to faithfully take care of her.

Donna is--survived by her husband Clifford; one son, Ron Gross; seven- grandchildren - Derek, Tara, Jeremy and Desi Gross, David and Carrie Gross, and Dustin Sturgis. She is also survived by her two sisters: Darlene Miller and Dana Hadachek and her husband Gene; and by five brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law who loved her very much.  Donna was preceded in death by two of her children, Randy and Pamela; and by her parents and her brother Terry. Donna will be sadly missed all: She was a true friend to who loved her.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000, at 11 a.m. at Hope Congregational Church of Bethune. Pastor Terry Wilkinson officiated with interment in the Hope Cemetery.  "Closer Walk With Thee, "River of Life," "Someday He'll Make it Plain To Me," were the musical selection performed by soloist Bud Finley and the Men's choir Accompanists were Velda Adolf and Beulah Lambert. Casket bearers were Dallas Schaal, Stan Schaal, Nick Schaal, Josh Finley; Jim Dobler, Garth Gay, Mickey Mille and David Gross.  Honorary escorts were all the friends of the family. Hendricks-Love Mortuary of Burlington was in charge of arrangements.   Memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of the Community First National Bank in Burlington.