Donna M. Keil

Donna Marie (Bahr) Keil unexpectedly yet peacefully passed away February 16, 2025, with her loving husband and three adoring daughters by her side at Menorah Medical Center.

A beloved wife, mother and nana, Donna was born on May 8, 1936, in Great Bend, KS. She was the eighth of eleven children born to Henry and Frances (Schneider) Bahr and grew up on the family farm near Albert, KS. She attended grades 1-8 at St. Ann’s Catholic School in Olmitz, KS and boarding school at Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita.

After graduating high school and attending one year of college, Donna went to work for a dentist in Great Bend. One day, Donna recalled seeing the name Eldon on the patient list for the day and having the strangest feeling – she’d never heard that name before. He came in with a chipped tooth, and by the time he left, a love story had begun. Neither of them could have imagined the beautiful life and love that God would bless them with throughout their nearly 67 years together.

Donna and Eldon were married August 30, 1958, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz. They began their married life in Tulsa, OK while Eldon completed his degree at the University of Tulsa. A job offer kept them in Tulsa until 1972. During this time, their three daughters – Julie, Leigh, and Jane – were born.

Eldon’s career took them from Tulsa to Overland Park and eventually to Rogers, AR. In every place they lived, Donna made their home a beautiful, warm, and loving place to be. Wherever home was, she made it a ‘safe haven’ not only for family but for anyone who entered. She fully embodied grace, kindness and warmth, something she freely shared. Her generous, giving nature was a central tenet in how she lived her life – serving others. She exceeded that goal beyond measure.

After retirement, Donna and Eldon enjoyed living on a golf course and spending their days golfing and socializing with wonderful friends. Despite taking up golf later in life, making two holes in one was an accomplishment of which she was so proud! By 2005, all three daughters were living in Overland Park, and grandchildren were entering the picture. Donna and Eldon made their final move to be present in their daughter’s and grandchildren’s lives. What an enormous, impactful gift that was!

Donna’s love for God and her Catholic faith and her lifelong devotion to St. Jude defined her and how she lived her life. That love and devotion was only matched by her dedication to her husband and later her children and grandchildren. Her faith and love of family were the absolute core of her being – something she lovingly passed on. Her family will remember this as her greatest gift.

Donna was energetic and pure fun with a true zest for life! She had countless interests and hobbies (reading, sewing, baking, puzzles, and golfing, to name just a few), and she loved travel and adventures, both large and small. She cherished trips to fascinating places all over the U.S. and the world, but at the end of the day, it was wherever Eldon and her daughters were that Donna was happiest. She made every holiday and family get-together extra special.

Above all else, Donna will be remembered for her sweetness and grateful spirit that may have been her most endearing and enduring qualities. Those permeated her entire being, blending into every act of kindness and joyful encounter with others. Donna’s sweetness and gratitude never waned, even as her memory did in recent years - they were too much a part of her natural light that could never be diminished.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents along with five siblings – Frances Bahr, Father Joe Bahr, James Bahr, Sister Mary Ann Bahr, and Patricia Bahr. She is survived by her beloved husband Eldon, her three daughters - Julie Hudson (Marc), Leigh Keil, and Jane Burgett (Craig), five grandchildren – Anna and Joseph Hudson, Grace and Mary Burgett, and Elizabeth Greene, and five siblings – Sister Francella Bahr, Henry Bahr, Sister Jeannine Bahr, Joan Schreiber and Sister Teresa Bahr. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS. Rosary preceding at 9:30 a.m. with visitation following. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery after Mass.  The Mass will be lived stream at https://www.kcnativity.org/onlineevents

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The National Shrine of St. Jude, www.shrineofstjude.org , or any animal shelter of your choice.

 https://shrineofstjude.org/