Donna Jean Stratton

Donna Jean (Roth) Stratton, of rural Golden City, Missouri, passed away on July 17, 2025 at the age of 73.

Donna was born to Albert B. Roth and Emma (Reeb) Roth on August 19, 1951, in Geneva, Nebraska, and grew up in nearby Shickley, Nebraska. She married Max Stratton in May 1980 and moved to Golden City, Missouri, where they farmed together for the next forty-five years.

Donna was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Cooper and Ellie Stratton. She was a farmwife, but was also an accomplished seamstress, baker, chef, gardener, author, artist and teacher. She loved God and her family, and she never missed an opportunity to help others, always giving of herself. Donna was always active supporting her family in their pursuits. She was not afraid of hard work. If something needed done, Donna would do it. If she didn't already know how to do something that was needed, she would learn how and would soon master it - everything from butchering wild game to driving grain trucks.

Donna enjoyed sharing her knowledge and the Bible with others and was a faithful member of the Newman Road Church of Christ in Joplin, Missouri. She was constantly busy with multiple projects and always had vegetables from her garden to share. Food was a love language. No one ever left her home hungry. Donna always grew a huge garden and preserved the bounty. She loved to share generously. Meals at her table were feasts. Donna abhorred waste, whether that be food, money, time or talents. Donna was tough and did not give up easily. She valiantly fought a three-year battle with cancer with grit and determination.

Donna is survived by her devoted husband, Max Stratton; her daughter, Amy Beth Nichols and husband Larry, of rural Golden City, Missouri; her son, Adam Dean Stratton and his wife Abbie, of rural Jasper, Missouri; two grandchildren, Cooper Stratton and Ellie Stratton; her sister, Nadine Roth, of Lamar, Missouri; her mother-in-law, Maxine Stratton, of Lockwood, Missouri; her sister-in-law, Sherril Sego, of Joplin, Missouri; her brother-in-law, Darin Stratton and his wife Katharine, of Joplin, Missouri, as well as numerous other family and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law, Dean Stratton and her brother-in-law, Pat Sego.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 25, 2025, at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Golden City, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 25, 2025, at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested and should be made payable to Mt. Carmel Cemetery, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com