Donna M. Valentine

Donna M. Valentine, 64, of Topeka, passed away while surrounded by her family, Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

Donna was born on the family farm in Salina, Kansas February 26, 1944 to Oscar and Mary Giersch. She was the youngest of 5 children (3 girls and 2 boys). In the early years, the family farmhouse had no running water, electricity or indoor plumbing and the 3 daughters shared one room. Farm life could be tough and Donna shared many stories about frugality and hard work with her daughters. Most importantly, the farm was filled with lots of love and happy memories.

Donna graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina, Kansas in 1962 and received her nursing diploma in 1965 from St. Francis School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. In 1967 Donna settled in Topeka, where she dedicated over 30 years of service to the Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Administration Medical Center. After working in several different areas of nursing, Donna found her passion in psychiatry and became an advocate for veterans with mental health issues. In 1998 she received the Department of Veterans Affairs' Excellence in Nursing Award.

Donna retired from the V.A. in 2002 but kept active in psychiatry by working at The Menninger Foundation where she was eventually asked to work and assist in the training of new staff after the Foundation's move to Houston, Texas. Donna lived for two years in Houston before returning home to Topeka.

Throughout her life, Donna volunteered her services to those in need including the Battered Women's Task Force and The Salvation Army. One of her favorite volunteer activities was working on Kathleen Sebelius' 2 successful gubernatorial campaigns. Donna's spirit for life was evident in her extensive traveling, large circle of friends and close knit family. Donna had a very engaging personality and was often the life of the party.

Donna is survived by her two daughters, Michelle Valentine (husband, Cal Reese) and Christina Valentine; her brothers, William "Bill" Giersch (wife, Sandy Giersch) and Lyle Giersch (wife, Lou Giersch); her sisters, Shirley Hoover and Patricia Morley (husband, William "Bill" Morley); 11 nieces and nephews; 16 great-nieces and nephews and many friends. Donna is preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Gary Hoover.

Cremation is planned. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Friday at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel followed by family visitation until 7:30 p.m. that evening. A memorial mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday January 31, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Topeka. Inurnment services will follow at 3:00 p.m. Saturday in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge, 1120 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. 64105.