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Donna Elaine Evans passed away July 26, 2019 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She was 88 years old. Viewing will be Tuesday and Wednesday until 8 pm, with a time to greet family from 5-7pm on Wednesday evening. A memorial ceremony to gratefully remember her life will be held at 2pm on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Albright United Methodist Church in Ponca City. She will be laid to rest in a private family graveside. Honorary Casket Bearers will be David Tebrinke, Rennie James, Terry James, Lennie James, Jeff Vincent, Curt Vincent, Walter Evans, Carl Evans, and Kevin Adkins. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.
Donna Elaine Evans was born August 3, 1930 in Dolliver, Iowa to her parents, Robert R. and Emma Maron Evans. She moved to Perry, Oklahoma as an infant. She attended Perry Lutheran School primarily during her elementary years. Her father worked throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas during her early years, eventually moving the family to Ponca City in 1943. Donna graduated from Ponca City High School in 1948. She always considered herself as proud "Okie", and she loved Ponca City, which she considered her home town. She is survived by four sisters, all of Ponca City: Pat Tebrinke, Marlene Evans, Sandra Adkins and her husband Jim, Bobbie James and her husband Darrell, niecie Darrla James, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Donna served in the Women's Army Corp from 1949 to 1953, and was honorably discharged with a rank of Sgt First Class. During those military years, she attended the WAC Leadership School and graduated fourth in a class of thirty. She received the award for Outstanding Trainee in Basic Training, the Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. She was one of the first four WACS to attend the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare School in Ft. Meade, Maryland. Donna trained recruits at Ft. Lee, Virginia and was First Sgt of the 4th Army WAC Detachment of Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Upon her discharge, Donna attended Business College in Oklahoma City and worked as a bookkeeper before returning to Ponca City in 1960.
Donna worked as bookkeeper at the Ranch Drive Farmers Co Op for a number of years and considered farmers as some of her dearest friends and the salt of the earth. She entered the Real Estate business in 1973, working for Glaser Real Estate, Marvin and Ruth Frantz, Lee Drake and Group One, Realtors. During that time she served on many committees, including President of the Board of Realtors, and was selected as Outstanding Realtor of the Year. Donna taught Basic and Broker Real Estate Courses as well as Continuing Educational classes for the Board. In 1983, she began her appraisal career and took courses which qualified her to be a Certified Licensed Residential Appraiser. During that time, Donna was a member of the National Association of Master Appraisers, the Society of Real Estate Appraisers and the Appraisal Institute. She was the first woman appraiser in the Kay County and Ponca City areas, was an FHA appraiser and worked for most of the local lenders as well as many Relocation Companies. She was one of the three Lead Appraisers during the Conoco buyout of the homes in the south part of Ponca City. Donna retired in 1995.
She was an active member of the Albright United Methodist Church. She had been a member of that particular church since 1943. She sang in the choir, and served on many committees such as Finance, Pastor Parish, and Evangelism. She was a member of the United Methodist women, was a member of the Friday noon Bible Study group, and taught the Ernest Seekers Sunday School class, and she also helped with Friendship Feast.
Donna enjoyed reading and watching TV, especially old westerns. She said she had been born fifty years too late, as she would have liked to have been around during the early Pioneer days. She liked to write songs and poetry and had a small booklet entitled "Rhyme Times" put together for family and friends. She played the guitar but not "very well", she said only enough to accompany herself when she sang for church and a few organizations. She learned to yodel as a child and that was one of her favorite things to do. She loved to see smiles on faces when she began to yodel. She supported the restoration of the older treasures here in Ponca City, was a member of the American legion, the Humane Society, the Women's Vet Organization and many others. Donna loved humor and loved to make people laugh. She said she thought that was why God put her here on earth. She loved God, her family, her friends, her church, and her country.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601, or to Albright United Methodist Church, 128 S. Palm, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.
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