Donna L. Burkhead

June 13, 1938 - September 2, 2012

Donna Burkhead (nee Loeb), 74, of Bishop Spencer Place, Kansas City, MO , loving mother of Simon “Buddy” J Blattner, III (Sue), Diane Blattner Kresal (Shawn,) and Charles David Blattner (Dionne) passed away quietly in her home, Sunday, September 2, 2012. A memorial service will be held at the chapel in the mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery, 6900 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Heartland Hospice, 1001 E. 101st Terrace, Suite 180, Kansas City, MO 64131, 816-943-1798. Donna was born in Kansas City, MO June 13, 1938, to Laurette G. and Donald J. Loeb. Donna graduated from the Sunset Hill School in 1956, attended Northwestern University, and completed her schooling at the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1962. Donna had a career that encompassed her love for travel, as a travel agent and meeting planner. These skills served her well as she finished her career as an Administrative Assistant at Hoechst Marion Roussel. Throughout Donna’s long career in travel, she continued to indulge her most significant passion in life - travel throughout the world. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and KCPT. Upon her retirement she served on the Senior Leadership Team of the Johnson County Advisory Board. She volunteered at Mainstream Coalition, the Carlsen Center as a star usher, and as a teacher at Gordon Parks Elementary School. Donna was first married to Simon J Blattner, Jr. and then John Scott Burkhead. Donna is survived by her sister, Dr. Mary Gendler (Rabbi Everett) of Great Barrington, MA, two sons Buddy Blattner (Susan) of Glenview, IL and Charles Blattner (Dionne) of Juneau, Alaska and one daughter Diane Blattner Kresal (Shawn), one grandson Phillip of Juneau, AK; five granddaughters Rebecca and Ellen Valentine of San Francisco, CA and Alyssa, Kierstyn, and Sophia Blattner, all of Juneau, AK, and four nieces. Donna was predeceased by her brother Milford (Mike) Loeb II. Donna is also survived by her stepmother, Esther O. Loeb of Kansas City. Donna leaves behind her loving companion Maynard J. Rosenbloom of Kansas City.