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Dona Jean Smith, 93, passed away on May 6, 2023, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kan. She was born on February 11, 1930, to Palmer and Caroline (Massier) Deines in Hays, Kan.

Coming to Albert from Ellis in 1963, and then becoming a Great Bend resident in 2013, Dona worked at the Holiday Inn, but the job she enjoyed most in her working years was providing daycare to children. She also enjoyed playing bingo, her flowers, and watching dirt track racing.

Survivors include a daughter, Sheila (Bob) DeWald of Otis, Kan; three sons, Charles "Chuck" (Pam) Smith of Buhler, Kan., Robert "Bobby" (Teresa) Smith of Lyons, Kan., and Kenny (Marti) Smith of Great Bend, Kan.; eight grandchildren: Lesley (Doug) Gaughan, Laura (Kevin) McCarter, Stacy (Chad) Volkman, Shadd (Trina) Smith, Troy (Alyssa) Smith, Melissa Smith, Tyler Smith, and Shane (Kit) Smith; fifteen great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Helen Deines of WaKeeney, Kan. She is preceded by her parents; a grandson, Cody Smith; a twin brother, Donald Deines; a sister, Eleanor Swank; and a daughter-in-law, Monika Smith.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Grace Community Church, 210 McKinley St., Great Bend, Kan., 67530, with Pastor Jay Beuoy presiding. Memorials have been designated to Meals on Wheels, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Memories Shared by Sheridan Ewy, a child who went to Dona for daycare:

My name is Sheridan Ewy and I, along with my brother, Spencer, was one of the many that Dona babysat for. I am honored to speak on behalf of all the kids who she babysat. And maybe "baby sit" isn't the correct word because she did so much more than that. It is hard to say exactly how many she helped raise but it was quite a few. I think about every child in Albert had Dona as a babysitter. I believe the Torrez and Wissman families were some of the first and Jayce Kohls and Tanner Hlavaty were perhaps the last to graduate from Dona's watchful eye and guidance.

I'm sure others that she watched would all agree with me that Dona was a "second grandma". First she was "old school" - which wasn't a bad thing. We knew what we could and could not get away with. If we needed a scolding, we would get it but on the other hand, if we needed a hug, we would get that too. If we really got in trouble, we got threatened with a fly swatter, but I don't think she ever used it (or at least not on me). It was at Dona's that we learned how to get along with each other as we played. This may be something that kids nowadays need to a better job of. We need more "Dona's" in the world. So with that, I learned what it means to be respectful and to share and get along with others. Now that I'm going to be a teacher, I hope that some of the things that she taught me I can carry on with the kids that I teach.

Other memories that stuck out for me were birthday and Christmas parties. Whenever it was someone's birthday, cake, ice cream, and a gift were always a part of the day.

Her chicken strips and french fries (deep fat fried) were some of my favorites. Oh, yes, and how could I forget hamburger helper, cottage cheese with a lot of black pepper, (which I did like), and rice with ketchup (which I didn't like). For snacks, pretzels and Cheetos – and they are still some of my favorite snacks today. And I can't forget the confetti ice cream cups and the orange push-up pops from Schwans. But the chocolate mint ice cream bars were my favorite.

We always loved it when her friend would come over. I remember Lou, Lucy, Celeste, and Elsie. Lou would bring mail. Her friends were always so nice to us. And once in a while the "big yella" truck would pull up. We always liked that. Kenny would say, "Hi, Kids!" and come for a visit.

She loved us as if we were her own. Whenever she would see my parents, she would always ask "how her kids were doing". I regret not going to see her more often as I got older, although it was very special getting to visit with her at her 90 ^th birthday party.

I think it was at Dona's that I learned who Barney the Purple Dinosaur was. Barney would always convey an educational message through songs, small dance routines with a friendly , huggable and optimistic attitude. PBS Kids were also shown. Very educational. A little different to what kids probably watch nowadays.

Nap times were also a must. I will admit that there would be times that we wouldn't fall asleep and I'm not sure if she knew, but we would at least lay there and try not to cause too much of a ruckus. Boy, I would give anything to have those naps at my old age of 22.

I remember going to visit her right before she moved to Great Bend. I was a sixth grader and had to interview someone who lived through the Dust Bowl days. Even though it was a school project, it didn't seem like one since she and I had a great conversation. That is a special memory that I will always have.

Dona will always have a special place in my heart. And I am glad that she was the one that babysat me when I was younger. I know she is in heaven with Jesus and I that we will meet again.

Rest in Peace!