May 28, 1933– June 11, 2023
Donna Jean (Johnson) Kilhoffer was born on her parents’ farm near Burns Flat, Oklahoma on May 28, 1933, to Ida and Ira (Tip) Johnson. She passed away on June 11, 2023, in Corn, Oklahoma at the age of 90 years and 14 days.
As a child, Donna survived picking cotton by hand, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
She enjoyed playing baseball with her siblings and watching their games.
Her dad often took the kids to the Saturday matinees in Dill City.
Donna was an accomplished student from the start, playing basketball and winning a 4-H trip to the national convention in Chicago.
In May 1951, she graduated from Burns Flat High School and later studied shorthand at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
On March 2, 1954, she married the love of her life, Bernard Kilhoffer, at Holy Family Church in Canute, going on to raise seven children on their farm south of Burns Flat.
In addition to cooking three hearty meals a day, Donna kept farm books and helped any way she could on the family farm.
Having seven kids in ten years, she never had two in diapers at once!
Bernard and Donna were married for 60 wonderful years and enjoyed decades of family reunions, holidays, and even two trips to Canada.
Both were active members of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Elk City, and Donna volunteered to teach adult and youth religious education classes for many years and lead Renew classes in her home.
Leaving a legacy of faith and love, Donna was very active in her family’s lives and encouraged and inspired them in their faith and activities.
She especially loved listening to and singing Christian music and encouraged her family in their musical endeavors.
In later life, even as she suffered from dementia and failing health, Donna continued to inspire everyone around her with her love for Jesus and others, hopefulness and loving smile.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ida and Ira Johnson, her husband, Bernard, brothers Mike, Jonny, and Donald Johnson, sisters Imogene Nichols and Mildred Thionnet, sons Mark and Danny Kilhoffer, and her great-granddaughter Hollis Houghton.
She is survived by two sons, Timothy Kilhoffer of Burns Flat and Michael Kilhoffer of Edmond, and three daughters, Valerie Fite and Leann Black of Burns Flat and Linda Mell of Edmond.
Donna is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren, and countless other relatives and friends who will always remember her uncommon kindness and love for her Lord.