Donna Padgett

Donna Lee Padgett, daughter of the late Edwin and Betty (Friemoth) Baker, was born July 5, 1941, in Burlington, Wisconsin, and went to her home in Heaven on October 24, 2023, at her home, north of Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 82 years, 3 months, and 19 days of age.

Donna grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from East Troy High School. She was united in marriage to Tom Padgett on August 12, 1961, in East Troy. Two children were born to this union, Kenny and Patty.

The family moved from Wisconsin to Missouri in 1970. Donna worked various jobs in the Mountain Grove area and enrolled in nursing school when she was in her 50’s. She earned her CNA and LPN license. Donna loved taking care of people, especially her family and extended family.

Donna enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, and loved being home and always said home was her happy place. She was a devout Christian who faithfully studied and wrote daily devotionals and loved attending church and worshipping the Lord. She was a prayer warrior and an example to all who knew her in her walk with Jesus. If you were going through anything rough, she would always offer to pray for you.

Donna was always willing to help whether it be with the farm, sewing or mending, or some other task and she loved giving and receiving hugs. Her family will miss her dearly and will remember what she always said whether closing an email or ending a phone call, “love you and be safe.”

We have a hard time putting into a few paragraphs a lifetime of such love, joy, laughter, memories, and all of the things she was as a sister, wife, mother, aunt, and friend. Donna, as tears roll down our faces, we rest in the hope and faith that you are home, in that happy place we call Heaven. Love you and now you are safe.

Donna is survived by her husband of 62 years, Tom Padgett; son, Kenny Padgett and wife, Millie, of Mountain Grove; daughter, Patty Padgett of Mountain Grove; two sisters, Carol Rockwell and husband, Al, and Joyce Nelson and husband, Ron, all of Wisconsin; close friends whom she claimed as her children, Clay and Marsha Freeman; and many other church family and dear friends who will miss her greatly.