Donna Perkins Baltis Wells

Donna Perkins Baltis Wells, 83, passed away May 29, 2012 at Grand Court, where she had lived the past 2 ½ years. Donna was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She attended Southwest High School in Kansas City (class of 1947), Ward Belmont Girls School in Nashville, TN, and graduated from Duke University where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. After graduation she worked in Washington, D.C. on the Marshall Plan. It was there that she met Rusty Baltis. They were married in Wellingborough, England, where Rusty was stationed in the Army. At the end of his duty, they moved back to Kansas City and started their family with three young sons, Russ III, Mark (Bo), and David. Donna was the ultimate homemaker. She was awarded the national runner up “Homemaker of the Year” by Family Circle magazine in 1967. She was active in the Junior League, the Picture Lady program, and the Wornall House Garden Committee. Donna was a gourmet cook, an avid gardener, and a voracious reader. She appreciated all things beautiful-- the Symphony, her collection of eclectic antiques, fabulous clothes, unique landscaping--and believed everything had to have her signature “touch of whimsy.” In December 1991 she married Judge Lee E. Wells. They loved to entertain and travel, and had a wonderful life together until Lee’s death in 2008. Donna is survived by her three sons, Russ (George Kahn), Mark (Joanne), and David (Mary); two stepchildren, Ed Wells and Betsy Phillips; her brothers, Bob Perkins, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Judge Alan Perkins, Davis, California; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends at Grand Court. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2 at 11:00 a.m. at George Hamilton Combs Chapel, 6101 Ward Parkway. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Creative Care Consultants, 7200 NW 86th Street, Suite N, Kansas City, Missouri 64153. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.