Donna Marie Robertson

Donna Marie Robertson (Rollins), 97, of Kansas City MO passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021. Visitation will be held at 1 PM followed by a memorial service at 2 PM on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City MO 64133. Interment will follow.

Donna was born to James D and Grace E Rollins (Clark) on May 31, 1924. She grew up on a farm with siblings Tice, Bill, Leo, John, and Mary Belle. Two children Myrtle (4) and Sam (2) died of pneumonia two days apart in 1917 and baby Clarence died 10 days after birth in 1935. Donna graduated high school in Waynesville, MO and attended business school in Springfield MO for a year. She took a job as a bank teller where she met her future husband Ralph who made regular deposits at the bank.

She married Ralph A Robertson on February 23, 1947. He had obtained a BS degree in Agriculture (Soils) from the University of Missouri and served in the US Marine Corps in WWII and survived the Battle of Iwo Jima. They lived in Springfield, West Plains, Linn, Jefferson City, Sedalia, and Kansas City MO, as his work required, over the 62 years they were married.

Donna shared many childhood stories about growing up on the farm - hard-working parents, the antics of 4 brothers, a loving sister, a small house with no electricity, walking to school, babies being born, a secret place in the woods, chickens, pigs, horses, watermelons, the smokehouse, and navigating the nearby and often flooding Roubidoux. The common thread was a deep abiding love of God and family, hard work, and plenty of humor.

Donna became a Christian at a young age and attended church her entire life. She taught Sunday School in Baptist churches 20+ years. She was an excellent cook, enjoyed outdoor activities, bird-watching, reading, and crafting. As a life-long quilter and part of a quilting group at First Baptist Church of Raytown/Connection Point, she took care that each tiny stitch was as straight and meticulous on the back of the quilt as on the front. She relished visits and calls with her nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and especially her great grandchildren.

She is survived by son Rodney (Pamela), daughter Sally Harrison (Steve), 4 grandchildren Laura Martin, Tyler Robertson (Kelly) , Jill Harrison, and Mark Harrison, 2 great-grandchildren Olivia and Emmaline, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Gideons International or a charity of choice.