Donalee Beth”Donna” (Cherry) Gruenewald, 77 of Russell, Kansas and formerly of Lamar, Colorado died Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Donna was born December 13, 1933 in Carlton, Colorado the daughter of Richard Franklin, II and Chloe Maxine (Fidler) Cherry.  She grew up in Granada, Colorado and graduated from Granada High School.

Throughout her life Donna has lived in southeast Colorado, Pennsylvania, Scott City, Kansas and Russell, Kansas.

Donna was a cook for the Granada school district during the early 1970’s.  She was also employed by the American State Bank in Granada for over 15 years.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Granada and the Church of Christ.
She enjoyed doing crafts and collecting sea shells.  But the love of her life was her family.  Everything revolved around her children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include four daughters, Cynthia Jane Miller and husband Craig of Mesa, Colorado, Patricia Lee Wiechman of Austin, Texas, Lisa Sue Darling of Austin, Minnesota and Janell Elizabeth Tucci-Paprocki and husband John of Glendale, Arizona; son John Ray Gruenewald of Peabody, Kansas; four brothers, Charles Cherry of LaPorte, Colorado, Bill Cherry of Loveland, Colorado, Richard Franklin Cherry, III of Austin, Texas and Danny Ray Cherry of Westcliff, Colorado; two sisters, Ann Sicklebower of Lamar, Colorado and Margo Sue Kirkpatrick of Plantation, Florida; Aunt, Bessie Jo Peden of Abilene, Texas; and twelve grandchildren, Bethany Ballard, Nathan Sales, Evan Sales, Gabriel Baca, Joseph Baca, Jaycie Wiechman, Margaret Darling, William Darling, Henry Darling, Lia Tucci, Tiara Tucci and Michael Tucci, II; and a great grandson, Santino Thomas-Tucci.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, son Bob Gruenewald and brother Darrell Cherry.

A memorial service will be arranged by Peacock-Gamble Funeral Home in Granada, Colorado.