Thank you for coming to remember and celebrate Donna Malsom's life. She was born December 31, 1956 in Roseville, CA, to Charles Harlan and Shirley J. (Regur) Smith, and left this earth Wednesday, September 7, 2011 in Denver, CO. Everyone who knew Donna, misses her terribly and her departure leaves a huge void in our hearts that may never be filled.


Donna had love in her heart for so many; she held no preconceived ideas when she met you. If you were basically good people and treated others in the way of a Christian spirit, you were welcomed into her circle of friends. It not, she gave you many chances to come around because she believed everyone had goodness in them.


It's amazing how big Donna's heart was. Her number one love was her granddaughter, Dylan, whom she did not see enough of these last few years. Next would be her close friends, Karla, Angie, Karen and Rosalie. There are too many great friends to list here, but you know who you are. Everyone who knew her, has their own special relationship and memories that will live on in each of us. Because of you all, her many years living in Collyer were very happy and fulfilling.

Donna loved Kansas History, especially the Collyer Community Alliance (CCA) and Smokey Hill Trail Association. Her participation was instrumental in their establishment and daily operations. She was very proud of the Collyer Community Alliance's achievements; Main street clean up, the painting of store fronts, the purchase of the Catholic Convent and Catholic school, and the thousands of volunteer hours that went into cleaning the property and renovating the convent into a Bed and Breakfast. Added to the clean up, the CCA upgraded and successfully renovated the city park into a functioning part of the city. Work on the Sod house, Dance Hall, school, American Legion, creamery, and Coyote Point continues. We know Donna will watch and applaud the continuing CCA efforts from heaven.


In describing Donna, there is so much to say. She was loving, passionate, kind, determined, tenacious as a visionary and leader, caring, loyal, humble, and never blew her own horn. She had a very dry sense of humor. For example, one day for Karla's birthday, Donna decorated a bale of hay as a sunflower as a joke because they both hate sunflowers. Also, Angie and Steve were in their kitchen one Sunday when they spotted Donna attempting to inconspicuously place a uniquely decorated birthday hat into their mailbox. Unbeknownst to Donna, they were laughing hysterically at her antics.

If she thought you were not quite doing something the way it should be done, she would walk to you and softly whisper her opinions in your ear. The funny thing, is how much harder she was on herself, we often wonder what she whispered in her own ear. We have all marveled at the projects she undertook and the many revisions she made before it was good enough. So much so that Angie called her the re-do girl.


Donna loved cooking. She was attending the International Culinary School in Denver, CO and would have graduated December 16, 2011. Her ultimate goal was to own and operate her own restaurant in the Coyote Point building. Her Colleagues at school who spoke very highly of Donna, believed in her and her restaurant vision.


Donna, you will be sadly missed. We love you and we're so blessed to have had you in our life.


Sincerely,
Your Family and Friends

Visitation for Donna will be 5:30-7:00 PM, Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Schmitt Funeral Home at WaKeeney.

Services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in St. Michael Catholic Church at Collyer, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the Collyer Alliance and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.