Donna Strain (Mountain Grove)'s Obituary
Donna Kay Strain, daughter of Austin Leon Sanders and Clessie Nevada House Sanders, was born November 5, 1945, in Alton, Missouri. She departed this life Friday, October 25, 2013, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-seven years, eleven months, and twenty days.
On August 6, 1961, she was united in marriage to Phillip Wayne Strain at the First Freewill Baptist Church in West Plains, Missouri. To this union two daughters and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Curtis Wayne Strain; her infant twin brother, Donald Keith Sanders; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Anseaume, and Norman Mills.
Donna is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Phillip, of the home; two daughters, Kim Virtue, and her husband, David, and Deanna Shannon, and her husband, Danny, all of Mountain Grove, Missouri; five grandchildren, Curtis Virtue, and his wife, Tonya, Katie Peterson, DDS, and her husband, Pete, all of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Christopher Shannon, and his fiancée, Kyla Atchison, of Springfield, Missouri, Austyn Shannon, and Walker Shannon, both of Mountain Grove, Missouri; five great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Kinlee, Raylee, and Rylee Virtue, and Case Peterson; two brothers, Charles Sanders, and his wife, Carol, of Nixa, Missouri, and Harold Sanders, and his wife, Connie, of Ballwin, Missouri; a sister, Carolyn Anseaume, of St. Charles, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Darrell Strain, and his wife, Esther, of Alton, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Linda Caruthers, and her husband, Mack, of Joplin, Missouri, and Judy Mills, of Alton, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Donna was born and reared in Alton, Missouri. She attended Alton High School, where she met the love of her life. After her marriage to Phillip, and the birth of their oldest daughter, Kim, the family moved to St. Charles, Missouri. After a period of time, the family moved to Columbia, Missouri, where Phillip would attend The University of Missouri. Upon Phillip’s admittance into dental school, they then moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and lived there four years, while Phillip completed his dental degree. Immediately after his graduation, the Strain’s moved to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where Phillip served with the United States Navy Dental Corps. In June of 1970, Phillip, Donna, and Kim moved to Mountain Grove, Missouri. Phillip and Donna established his dental practice there, and their daughter, Deanna, was born the following year. Phillip and Donna worked side by side until her illness made it impossible.
Donna had professed her faith in Christ and was baptized at a young age. Donna was a longtime member of First Christian Church in Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Donna’s greatest pleasure was spending time with her family, whom she dearly loved. She was an avid Panther fan (at least when any of her grandkids were involved). She enjoyed reading, canning, family vacations, and making a home for her family. She was known to her family as “Hurricane Donna.” They never had to guess when severe weather was approaching, because she would always let them know, even if it meant a phone call in the middle of the night.
She touched the lives of so many, and her loss will be felt forever. However, we know that she is without pain and suffering and seated at the foot of her Savior. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
Memorial donations may be made to No Greater Sacrifice and St Judes Children's Hospital
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