Donna Lynn Kueck's Obituary
Donna Lynn Kueck, born on May 8, 1959, in Oklahoma City, was the beloved daughter of Jerry and Berthalene (McGehee) Bailey. In 1967, her family relocated to Vinita, Oklahoma, where her father managed a tower company. From an early age, Donna's life was centered around family, which was of utmost importance to her. Growing up in the countryside of Craig County, she was surrounded by numerous cousins and friends, forming a close-knit community that deeply influenced her life.
A product of a musical family, Donna developed a lifelong love of music, particularly 1970s rock and roll. She was a cheerleader, a member of the drill team, and one of the top scholars in her class, graduating from Vinita High School in 1977. Known as a "daddy's girl," Donna maintained a special bond with her father throughout her life.
After high school, Donna ventured to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1981 with a degree in Elementary Education. She married and later became a mother to her two children, Matt and Molly.
Following graduation, Donna moved to Perry, Oklahoma, where she began working at Exchange Bank as an office administrator for the President and CEO. She quickly became the bank's official liaison, known for her professionalism and dedication. Donna was also actively involved in the Perry YMCA, where she taught aerobics and was an avid participant in the volleyball club. Her love for community extended to the First Christian Church in Perry, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and supported her children through the band boosters at Perry High School.
Later in her career, Donna joined Ditch Witch, where she became proficient in computer programming. It was there she met her husband, Jerry, whom she married on December 26, 2005. Jerry's job took them to St. Louis and eventually Atlanta, but they returned to Vinita following Jerry's retirement to care for Donna's mother.
From 2014 until her passing, Donna worked for the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), where she cherished her career and especially loved the view of the lake from her office. She embraced the many activities offered on the Grand Lake of the Cherokees and found joy in every weekend and spare moment spent with her children and grandchildren.
Donna and Jerry shared many adventures together, attending St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, going to concerts, and visiting lifelong friends in Perry, Oklahoma. Donna's infectious and loving personality endeared her to everyone she met. She devoted her life to putting others first, whether through her love of children, baking, entertaining, or creating beautiful crafts like crocheting and cross-stitching for her loved ones.
Donna is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; her mother, Berthalene Bailey; her children, Matthew Cargill and Molly (Cargill) Dillman and her husband, Matthew Dillman; her grandchildren, James, Luke, Thomas, and Rachel Cargill and Julia Dillman; her sister, Brenda Clark, and her husband, Paul; along with numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Bailey, and her brother, Daryl.
A Celebration of Donna's remarkable life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in the Rivercrest Chapel in Bixby. Following the service, guests are invited to a gathering at the Tulsa Scottish Rite at 1630 S 101st E Ave. Donna passed away on Sunday morning, August 18, 2024, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, at the age of 65. Her legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to others will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
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