Donna Leonard

Donna was born Donna Claire Tucker on October 18, 1929, in Sterling, Nebraska to parents Audrey Claire (Cox) and Kelley Weber Tucker. She was the second of seven children and oldest daughter (Dick, Dean, Ed, Joe, Phyllis and Emily). She graduated from Technical Senior High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. After high school, she moved to Topeka, Kansas and spent the next 27 years working for Southwestern Bell Telephone/AT&T, taking 13 years off in the middle to raise her children. She was an operator, clerk and eventually a technical supervisor. After retiring, Donna worked an additional 20 years as a legislative clerk in the Kansas State Library in the Kansas Capitol building. She met her lifelong husband Marshall (Dean) while working at the telephone company. After leaving to serve two years in the Army in the Philippines, Dean returned home determined to rekindle their relationship. He succeeded, and they married on November 1, 1954, at Lowman United Methodist Church in Topeka, and were together until his passing in 2005. Donna embodied the spirit of love and compassion, beauty, and grace. Some of her favorite activities were boating with friends at the lake, dancing, bowling and bingo. She enjoyed classic country music and tabloid magazines, and getting her hair and nails done once a week, every week! She also cherished watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up, and her most beloved things were her dogs Sadie and Jojo. Donna passed away on May 24, 2023, after a long illness, surrounded by the family she loved and loved her endlessly. We are at peace knowing she is reunited with her husband Dean and daughter Denise. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Kelley, her husband Dean, daughter Denise, and grandson Joshua. She is survived by son Douglas Leonard and wife Anita, daughter Deanne Skinner and husband David, and son Donald Leonard and wife Jennifer. And by her seven amazing grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m., with graveside services directly after at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 8500 SE Ratner Rd, Berryton, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice House and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Donna Leonard

October 18, 1929 - May 24, 2023