Donna Shoop

Donna Marie (Oyster) (Doll) Shoop was born December 11, 1926 on the family farm west of Paola, Kansas. She went to be with her precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ on June 25, 2022.

Her father, George Edwin Oyster, and her mother Ethel Losadie (Williams) Oyster were farmers of wheat, corn, and hay. Donna’s responsibilities included tending to the vegetable garden, chickens and their eggs, and bringing in the cows on her horse. She specially loved tomatoes and the cherry pie from their tree. The farm had an outhouse and no electricity until her college days, and she shared a room with her parents. She took piano lessons for years and her mother taught her how to sew.

From five years old Donna walked to a one room schoolhouse or rode the horse on snowy days. She enjoyed teeter-totter, jump rope and softball. In Jr. high they played a game by throwing a ball over the schoolhouse. They had fun on hayrides, horse buggy rides, and in the family Model-T. On an icy hill it slid back around and down, but no one was hurt, a miracle.

Donna enjoyed playing in the band at the new Paola High School and regretted having to return her beloved instrument. She enjoyed playing basketball on the team and graduated as Salutatorian in the class of 1944.

For college Donna got K-State Wildcat fever that lasted a lifetime. She majored in home economics and early childhood education. The mostly female campus during WWII hosted a variety of events when all the men came back, including Wayne Frederick Doll. After marrying and having David, Diana, Daniel, and baby Dalene the Dolls were missionaries to the Philippines for a term.

After getting a Master degree Donna taught pre-school with the Head Start program and enjoyed taking her students to the circus and the zoo. She later worked for Kansas City Youth for Christ for many years. She was an amazing health and nutrition advocate and a breast cancer survivor since 1977. She was the nutritionist at a prep high school on the east coast in the past and taught them how to steam vegetables and clunk them on the plates for amazing echoes in the cafeteria hall.

In her retirement years Donna enjoyed quite a variety of energetic activities as she worked out in the gym, swam in the pool, and walked around the block. She went to grandparent days, and to opera and orchestra events in Johnson County and KU (but wore her K-State watch). It must be mentioned that her very own daughter attended both esteemed schools and even several grandkids got bit by a bird.

As a widow Donna walked daily around the Olathe North high school track and flirted with all the football players. They adopted her into the team and included her in the team yearbook  photo! The coaches considered her an inspiration to all the youngsters.

She obtained a home library collection of Christian and nutrition books. She also enjoyed shopping for (really) bright clothes and kept her hair in the proper color.

At church over the years Donna was usually with a prayer group, playing the piano, or teaching a children’s Sunday School class. She completed the entire Bible Study Fellowship program and read through the Bible several times. Her favorite hymns are How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, Be Thou My Vision, and Wonderful Grace of Jesus. Her favorite praise songs include Every Day with Jesus, I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever, and Safe Am I in the Hollow of His Hand. She loved the church, her family, extended family, and friends and neighbors.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband Curtis Gene Shoop, her brother Edwin Everette Oyster (and wife Leona Marie Oyster), daughter Diana Lee Doll, and great granddaughter Livia Jade.

Donna is survived by a niece and nephew, three children, twelve grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

Memorials to Countryside Baptist Church.