Donna Rene Hake

Donna Rene (Courtright) Hake passed away on Sept. 5, 2023 after a courageous battle against cancer.  Donna was born in Hugo, CO on Nov. 13, 1959 to William Dale and Irene (Burian) Courtright. She was welcomed home by her sisters Cheryl, Debby, Becky and brother Bill. Donna had lots of help growing up, with help from her four siblings and she enjoyed playing with her cousins in Vona.   She was taught a good work ethic from her parents and also her talent and love of gardening came from them. Around junior high time she started mowing yards and worked after school and summers at Stratton schools with her dad who was the custodian.   Donna attended all 12 years of school in Stratton, graduating in 1978.  While working at Dischners Grocery she met her future husband, Jim, the summer after graduation.  After a few years of courtship they were married in February 1981.  In 1983 they welcomed their first daughter Dalene and two years later daughter Carrie was born.  Their love lasted 42 years and endured all the hardships of life but also made many wonderful memories.

Before having kids, Donna was a partner with her mom and sister Debby in the Stratton Donut Shop. It was a well-liked and successful business, but Donna sold her share to devote her time to raising her family full time.  Donna also owned and operated the Leisure Garden where she painted and sold ornamental concrete and other garden items. She was incredibly talented as an artist and many of those pieces are still around. She also painted both interior and exteriors of many houses in Stratton and the surrounding areas.

After both girls were in school, Donna began working as a cook at the Stratton Elementary School. She stayed employed there for 20 years and retired in 2021 before the Covid pandemic. Retirement gave her extra time to work on her lawn, landscaping, and gardens, something she truly enjoyed.  She also liked hosting family barbecues and watching the Broncos (without her husband’s commentary) and was thrilled to be a grandma.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Irene Courtright, her father-in-law Howard Hake, her mother-in-law Edna Hake, her sister Cheryl Richards, her brother-in-law Steve Conrads, her great-niece Alaina Richards, her great-nephew Trevor Richards, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to carry on her legacy and memory are her husband Jim, daughter Dalene and husband Dusty Parsons, daughter Carrie and husband Richard Weimer, grandkids Brooklyn Parsons, Blake Parsons, and Ava Weimer. She also leaves her sister Debby Conrads, her sister Becky and husband Don Gurley, brother Bill Courtright and wife Susan,  sister-in-laws Carolyn Woodman, Jan Britton, and brother-in-law David Hake and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Pink Chaps Fund or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.