Donna Marie Brandt

Donna Marie Wheeler, the only child of Dolphus and Dorcus (nee Fancher) Wheeler was born on December 11, 1937, in Berryville, Arkansas. Of humble roots and an ill mother, she became a caretaker early in her life, and continued to share her warmth by taking care of and relishing in feeding emotionally and with food everyone in her life.

She began working as a soda jerk at 16 and held various service and administrative positions before retiring as an administrative assistant from the Paola Middle School after 26 years in 1998. She probably applied bandages to half the students matriculating to PMS between 1972 and 1998.

She loved reading books, magazines, and anything she could get her hands on, including cookbooks and recipes found in the Miami County Republic. Those around her benefitted from her interest in trying new recipes. She filled the deck with flowers every spring and spent the summers watering and talking to the flowers. She had a soft spot for dogs and cats, who quickly identified her as their source for extra treats. With her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all playing various sports, her beautiful white hair could often be seen in the stands or on the sidelines.

She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado, in 1961, and has been an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Paola, Kansas, since the mid-1960s. She continued to believe and find comfort in the church through the Sunday before she died.

She was loved by John H. Brandt of Paola for 70 years. They began dating at 16 and were then married for 66 years. Together they traveled and worked in several states before settling in Paola and eventually moving to the family farm.

She was also loved by her children, Kerry and Carole Brandt of Paola, Jerry and Marsha Brandt of Paola, and Randy and Catherine Brandt of Nixa, Missouri.

She developed a special bond with each of her grandchildren, Alicia (nee Brandt) Martin, Shawn Brandt, Hank Brandt, Katie Brandt, Caleb Brandt, Daniel Brandt, and Abbie (nee Brandt) Roesler.

And the great grand children (Jeremy Brandt, Alex Brandt, Gunnar Martin, Silas Martin, and Hadley Brandt) always brought new smiles and laughter to her.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, beginning at 10 am and a memorial service to follow beginning at 11 am and the First Lutheran Church of Paola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Paola or to the Miami County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, KS 66071.

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