VICKI L. (STITES) DONATH

Vicki Leann Stites Donath, 55, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2011, at her home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born February 26, 1956, in Chariton, Iowa, to Junior and Maxine Stockton Stites.

She and John "Phil" Donath were married March 17, 1986. They had been married 23 years when he passed away July 17, 2009.

Vicki was a graduate of Chariton High School in Chariton, Iowa. She received her bachelor's degree from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa; and in the mid-1980's, earned her master's degree at the University of Illinois in Champagne. She was employed for 15 years with Tanager Place near Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working extensively in adoption and foster care as the Director of Community Services.

She was then employed for five years in social work at the Meskwaki Native American Settlement in Tama, Iowa. While living in Cedar Rapids, Vicki was a Girl Scout Leader, and especially enjoyed traveling with the girls.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Erin Donath of Cape Girardeau; Heather (Andrew) Webb and children Avery, Hayden, and Hannah of Anna, Ill; her father and stepmother, Junior and Wilma Stites of Charles City, Iowa; a brother, Michael (Carol) Stites of Chariton, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Lloyd (the late Jolene) Curtis of Promise City, Iowa; three nieces, Shelly Curtis (Mark Sharp) of Promise City, Melissa Nine (David Gooding) of Marshalltown, Iowa, Delsey (Tony) Hinners of Dayton, Iowa; two nephews, Rodney (Kristal) Stites of Chariton, Loren Curtis of Promise City; 12 great-nephews-nieces, Laci, Josie, Michael, Dalton, Riley, Dylan, Gavin, Ethan, Eve, Parker, Ben, and Preston; and many other dear family members and close friends.

Survivors of her late husband's family include his parents, Frank and Kathryn Donath, now of Overland Park, Kansas and formerly of Sedalia, Mo.; his sister, Diane Penland, of Overland Park, Kansas; and many other dear family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Donath; her mother, Maxine Stites; her sister, Jolene Curtis; and paternal grandmother, Gail Stites.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the family or the Ronald McDonald House.

 Service Information