Donna Marie L. Smith

May 8, 1935 ~ April 11, 2025
Donna Marie L. Smith made her journey to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 11, 2025. She was born May 8, 1935, to Henry and Louise (Baalman) Huelsmann in Angeles, Kansas.
Donna Marie was born into a large Catholic family with eleven brothers and sisters. Her twin sister, Donna Lee McGuire, and brother, Charles Huelsmann, survive her.
Donna Marie married Matthew J. Smith on June 10, 1957. She is preceded in death by her husband, Matthew, and their infant son, Hubert Henry. She is survived by her children, Debbie Smith, Jerry Smith (Laurinda), Sheila Smith, Reine Ray (Greg), Steven Smith (Paula), Matthew Smith (Alicia), and Michelle Miller, as well as 16 grandchildren: Shane Walz (Kristi), Lindsay Tellander (Justin), Kyle Smith, Kathryn Bedford (Bryan), Scott Palmitier (Brittany), Crystal Palmitier, Bryan Ray, Amanda Ray, Chandler Ray, Riley Jeffreys, Brea Mulholland (Nate), Ben Smith, Jacob Smith, Katarina Smith, Chelsea Laffen, Hayley Miller (Aaron) and 15 great grandchildren.
Donna Marie was a wonderful wife and life-long partner to her husband, a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a talented homemaker, baker, gardener, seamstress, bowler, card player, and avid TOPS/KOPS member. She had a friend everywhere she went, never knowing a stranger. She was very proud of her Huelsmann/Baalman family lineage and spoke of her family life often. She was raised on the family farm in Oakley, Kansas. She was a graduate of The Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita, now known as Newman University. She was devout in her Catholic faith and lived out her faith diligently in a life that honored Christ and edified the Church.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3642 N. Ridge Rd, Wichita, Kansas will host Rosary services Monday, April 21st, 2025, at 7:00 PM and a Catholic Mass on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Services will be live streamed through the church’s YouTube channel or by clicking the “Watch Now” button below. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 1640 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, Kansas. Immediately following the Internment Services, a meal will be served at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Memorial established with Catholic Charities, 437 N. Topeka Street, Wichita, KS 67202. Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
First, my condolences to all generations of the Huelsmann-Smith family. I have known Donna M since before her marriage to brother Matthew when she worked at the Catholic Bookshop under the direction of my father, Hubert. First and lasting impression: smart, kind, personable, efficient, easy to talk to, and totally honest. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege being her brother in law.
Paul Gregory Smith
It is with deep sadness that I have just received the word, within the past hour, that Donna Marie passed away.
We were classmates and graduated together in 1953 from Sacred Heart Academy.
I will remember Donna Marie as having a sense of humor and always smiling!
So sorry I missed the funeral services on the 22nd. May Donna rest in peace!
Sister Catherine Shippen, ASC