Donna Kaye (Kirkpatrick) Anderson

Donna Kaye Anderson, 89, left her earthly body suddenly on Saturday, March 23. She went to heaven to reunite with the love of her life, Andy. Donna was born on August 30,1934, as the sixth of the twelve children born to Earl and Hazel (Tucker) Kirkpatrick.

She was born in the far Northeastern Wisconsin village of Laona although spent much of her youth living throughout Southern Wisconsin. In several of the rural locations where the family lived, attending high school was not available due to lack of busing. Donna, determined to get an education, primarily lived during the school year on the couches of either church friends or in the apartment of her older sisters, Theora and Shirley. She graduated in 1952 from Beloit (Wisconsin) Memorial High School followed by work in a shoe factory for two years to earn tuition money to attend college. In 1954, Donna entered Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais Illinois where she met an Ohio farm boy, William Eugene (Andy) Anderson. They were married on December 23,1955 in Janesville, Wisconsin and spent nearly 68 years together until his death on December 17, 2023. Donna and Andy moved to Ashland in 1956 when Andy accepted a job teaching at Jeromesville High School. Ashland County would become their permanent home and where they would raise their family and become heavily involved with a variety of church, school, and other community activities. Donna and Andy attended Grace Church where Donna was active with the Women of Grace fellowship. Donna and Andy were heavily involved in craftmaking and had, for a few years, sold their goods via a consignment shop. Donna was also the chief salesperson for the family’s produce, pumpkins, and freezer beef. Blueberry season was special as Donna enjoyed picking and selling pint after pint to steady customers or local supermarkets. Although always busy on the farm, she managed to escape to her weekly Tuesday afternoon bowling league.

Donna will be missed by her daughters Karol Scholz of Sunbury and Karin (Mike) Carmoney of Mitchellville, Iowa, and her son Ken Anderson of Columbus. Grandchildren are Andrew (Vanessa) Scholz of Sunbury, Liz (Ryan) Stroop of Mt Vernon, Jill Carmoney of Iowa City, Iowa and Sam Carmoney of Breckenridge, Colorado. Great grandchildren are Brooklyn, Mason and Gavin Scholz and Ella, Norah and Josie Stroop. Also surviving are her sister Karen Allen of Arizona and three brothers: Richard (Marge) Kirkpatrick of Wisconsin, Donald Kirkpatrick of Michigan and Earl Kirkpatrick of Massachusetts. Two sisters-in-law survive: Agnes Kirkpatrick of Illinois and Jeannette Kirkpatrick of Wisconsin.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, W Eugene (Andy), a son-in-law Kim Scholz, five sisters Theora Osborne, Shirley King, Betty Wolf, Maridel Gibeaut, and Sharon Segura and two brothers Robert and John Kirkpatrick.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29 from 1-3 pm and one hour before the memorial service which will be held on Saturday, March 30 at 11am. Both will be held at Fickes Funeral Home, 84 N. High St, Jeromesville.

A graveside service will take place, also on Saturday March 30 at 2pm at Frazeysburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Mifflin Volunteer Fire Department 114 S. Ohio St. Ashland OH 44805 or to the W Eugene and Donna Anderson Scholarship Fund at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Rd, Mt Vernon OH 43050 or MVNU.edu/give and specify WE and Donna Anderson Endowment.

Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.

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