Donna Lea Silsby

Auburn Kansas – Donna Lea Silsby formerly of Mankato, KS passed away Tuesday June 17, 2025, at Midland Hospice House. Donna was born on August 16, 1928, in Pretty Prairie Kansas to Clarence (Darb) and Golden Daisy Busick) Blew. She was the oldest of five children followed by Doris, Margaret, Merle and Melba. The family moved from Pretty Prairie to a farmstead west of Burr Oak, KS in 1945. Donna graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1947 and attended Fort Hays University where she received her elementary teaching certificate. She was united in marriage to James (Boyd) Silsby on May 17 th, 1949, in Burr Oak, KS. Donna and Boyd moved around the states of Kansas, Wyoming, and Nebraska as Boyd worked for a large construction company. In 1965 they moved to the Blew family farmstead in Burr Oak and then to Mankato in 1967 as Boyd became partners with his brother-in-law Merle at Mankato Welding and Machine. Donna was active in Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS)/United Methodist Women; Eastern Star; General Federated Women's Club; North Central Kansas Association of Artists; VFW Auxiliary and as a 4-H leader in the local club and county.
Survivors include her sisters, Margaret Patten of Longmont, CO, Melba Johnson of Auburn, KS and children Renee (June) Holl Lawrence, KS, Cliff (Susan) Silsby Auburn, KS, Tadhi (Doug) Hayes Amarillo, TX and Clay (Anna) Silsby Jackson, OR as well as 16 Grandchildren, 27 Great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Donna was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents; grandsons Travis Silsby, Aaron Holl and Ryan Silsby; one step great granddaughter; sister Doris Long, brother Merle Blew, Brothers-in-law Frank Johnson, Andrew Patten, and Howard Long; sisters- in-law and spouses Thelma (Doyle) Pierson, Belle (Alvin) Kandelin, Fern (Lynn) Harris, Mary (Louis) Ohmstede, Madeline (Charles Pinkston, Edythe (Harold) Francis, Glendora (Jim Paxton, Berniece (Charles) Harris, and Brother-in-law and spouse Doyle (Dorthia) Silsby.
Donna was a loving Mother, Granny, Teacher, Artist and Gardener. She loved seasonal colors and even with failing eyesight would express wonder with nature's beauty. Hummingbirds were her favorite birds to watch.
Donna will be laid to rest with Boyd in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mankato KS at a date yet to be determined.