Donna M. Richards

Donna Marie Richards, Topeka, died Thursday, December 5, 2013, at Midland Hospice House. Donna was born in Hanover, Kansas to Maurie and Mary Hassur on January 24, 1923. Donna graduated from St. John’s Catholic School and Hanover High School. She played the clarinet in the high school band, orchestra and quartet. In the summers she also played with five other members in the Marysville and Washington summer band concerts. Donna graduated from Parsons Junior College; she was a member of the Parsons Marching Drum and Bugle Corps, playing the snare drum. She was married to Donald Paul Richards at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons, Kansas on August 26, 1946. In 1947 they left for Los Angeles, California, for her husband had enrolled in the Fred Archer School of Photography following his return from serving in Europe during World War II. In Los Angeles, Donna worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a receptionist-stenographer. Donna and Donald returned to Columbia, Missouri when Donald became director of public relations photography and an instructor in photography for Stephens College. In 1951 the Richards returned to Kansas where Donald joined the staff of the Kansas Industrial Development Commission as a writer and photographer for the state magazine, “To the Stars”. Donna was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Women’s Club of the Church and past treasurer of the Women’s Club and Hayden Mother’s Club. She was a leader in their Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs. She was a member and past President of the Women’s 9-Hole Golf Association at Shawnee Country Club, member of the Mulvane Art Association, honored active member of the Mulvane Women’s Board and she was a member of the Knollwood Garden Club, serving as year book editor for twenty years. The Richards celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a renewal of their wedding vows at Most Pure Hear of Mary Catholic Church, followed by a dinner-reception at the Shawnee Country Club. Their sixtieth wedding anniversary was celebrated with a family trip on the Mexican Riviera Cruise in 2006. His brother, Bill and wife Nancy, of Laguna Hills California, joined them. Donna and her husband have traveled extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Orient. Donna is survived by her son, Robert Alan Richards, Boulder CO; daughter, Patricia K. Richards, Los Altos CA; son, Douglas Duane (Jean) Richards, Hot Springs AK; two grandsons, Christopher and Kevin Coulter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 2013; brother, Dr. G.M. Hassur and sister, Doris Hassur. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Private inurnment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Midland Care Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Donna M. Richards

January 24, 1923 - December 5, 2013