On Friday evening of December 2, 2022, in Edna, Kansas, Donna A. (Hackler) Allen the matriarch of our family passed away surrounded by the family she loved deeply.
In the heat of the summer of 1953 on the 8th day of July, Donna was born to Edward and Reba (Sallee) Hackler in Coffeyville, Kansas. Donna had five siblings, Eldon, and Leonard who both passed as young children. Many childhood adventures were shared with her sisters, Lorene and Nona along with brother Gary. She attended school in Coffeyville completing her education at Field Kindley Memorial High School.
Donna’s brother Gary was dating a young woman by the name of Diana and Diana’s mother wouldn’t allow her to go on a date unchaperoned. On one occasion she agreed not to accompany her on the date if her cousin Phil went along. Diana saw this as the perfect opportunity to set Phil up with Gary’s sister Donna. Well, the rest is history on September 22, 1969, Donna and Phil were married and have just celebrated their 53rd Anniversary together. They made their home in the Edna area. The other part of the story is that yes, Gary and Diane were also married and are still blessed to have each other.
Donna’s family says that Webster’s Dictionary should have her name for the definition of brilliant. She completed her education at the age of 17 choosing not to graduate, instead to marry the love of her life. But, don’t let that fool you on how smart she was, she worked for McKee Livestock for 47 years as their bookkeeper and her books always balanced to the penny! Her children Melisa and Steve have great memories of their mother and knew she loved them and always had their back. They also knew that she would have their backside if it was necessary as she ran a pretty tight ship. Donna was an amazing cook, bookkeeper, organizer, gardener, quilter, fix it person, and matriarch of her family. She loved her family fiercely and you never had to wonder what she was thinking because she would darn sure tell you. She was brutally honest with everyone. Donna’s motto was always speak truth and “if you’re old enough to ask a question, you’re old enough for the answer”. Her family never had to wonder if she loved them because she not only told them, but she also showed them with her acts of love daily.
Christmas will not be the same this year without Donna, as many other times in life will not ever quite be the same but, with great admiration and lots of love her family will carry on. She leaves behind her husband, Phil of the home; children Melisa and her husband Terry Hilderbrand, Steve Allen and wife Shell; brother Gary Hackler and wife Diana; grandchildren Gable Hilderbrand and wife Jenea, AbbyJo and husband Dallas Sorrels, Mileah Allen, Tyler Allen and Justin Hilderbrand; great grandchildren, Terry Grant Sorrels, Dalyn Hilderbrand, Alena Hilderbrand, Rowan Sorrels and Reef Sorrels. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Eldon and Leonard Hackler, sisters Lorene Herd and Nona Stotts.
Funeral services celebrating Donna’s life will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel located at 2405 Woodland Ave., in Coffeyville, Kansas, She will be laid to rest at the North Edna Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 9, 2022, also at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel from 6 to 8 pm. Services will be streamed live under her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunscgapel.com where you may also leave an online word of condolence or share a memory.
