Dona W. Vahrenkamp's Obituary
VAHRENKAMP, DONA WILLETTA PARKER, age 97, died October 21, 2011, at Walnut Place in Dallas, Texas. Born in Dallas on June 10, 1914, to Will Davis Parker and Anna Marie Hansen, she was educated in Dallas schools, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, and later attended Arlington State College for a short time. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ervin Frederick Vahrenkamp, son-in-law Robert E. Burkhard, three sisters, and one brother. She is survived by one sister, Anna Marie Sherrin, Wylie, TX., sister-in-law Claudine (Deanie) Parker, Minden, NV, daughter Catherine Burkhard, son Donald F. Vahrenkamp and his wife, Linda of Scottsdale, AZ. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren (Gary Burkhard and wife Judy, Columbus, OH; Margaret Burkhard, Phoenix, AZ; Janet Burkhard, Dallas, TX; Ronald Burkhard and wife Jana, Richardson, TX; Melinda Kuleszka and husband Andy, Boston, MA; Amy Bubier and husband Craig, Scottsdale, AZ), and 8 great-grandchildren (Aaron, Allyson, Adam Burkhard; Alexander Burkhard; Nicole and Amy Kuleszka; Jack and Brad Bubier) along with numerous nieces and nephews. An artist at a very young age, taking art classes whenever possible, Dona leaves behind a legacy of many paintings, needlework, quilting, crafts, hand bound books, etc. Her own wedding album shows her talents of binding, painting, and calligraphy. In addition to her artwork, Dona learned to sew at a young age, and notably made her wedding dress, clothing for her family for many years, and later professionally — helping financially in lean years. In her retirement, she served as a volunteer doing mending for the Health Care unit where she lived and taking in small jobs of mending and alterations for friends. She worked for Hardware Mutual Insurance Company for 20 years in Dallas. Upon her husband Ervin’s retirement, they purchased a home in Hot Springs Village in 1972, where she continued her handiwork along with gardening. In 1986 she and Ervin moved to Good Samaritan Cedar Lodge as one of the first apartment residents in the new facility. When Ervin passed away in 1993, she remained active as a resident until March 2005, when she returned to Dallas to be close to family, residing at Walnut Place in Dallas, TX. Dona was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) at Trinity Lutheran Church, Dallas; in the Dallas area as first President of the LWML Texas Star Zone, and in the LWML Texas District. She was in the LWML at First Lutheran, Hot Springs, AR after moving to Arkansas. As a Charter Member of Christ Lutheran in Hot Springs Village, AR, she filled her days being involve in their women’s group and weekly printing Braille books for Lutheran Braille Workers (for 20 years). She also was active in the Village Women’s Club, Village Pines Garden Club, and Scandinavian Club. At the time of her death, she was a member at Bethel Lutheran Church, Dallas. In addition to her legacy of artwork, she instilled in family and friends the importance of a relationship with God, and wherever possible, serving Him in Gladness – just as it had been instilled in her via her parents. May that live on!
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