Earl Leonard Donaldson, 94, of Russell, Kansas, died on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.
Earl was born on July 23, 1929, in Maple City, Kansas, the son of Dawson and Bessie (Foster) Donaldson. He grew up in Maple City, Kansas and graduated from Isabel High School in the class of 1948. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Betty Marlene Donaldson on September 04, 1949, Isabel, Kansas. From this union, Earl and Marlene were blessed with three children Michael, Debra and Steve. The family moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1968, and Earl worked in the oilfield as a drilling production foreman working for Skelly Oil & Getty Oil. He was a longtime member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, square dancing, watching football, baseball, basketball, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Earl is survived by son Michael Donaldson of Plymouth, Michigan, daughter Debra Middendorf of Richmond, Texas and Steve Donaldson of Fritch, Texas; 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; and longtime companion Jean Mai.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlene; brother Archie Donaldson and sisters Mae McClaskey and Erma Parsons. A celebration of Earl’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 P.M. at the Ellenwood Cemetery in Sawyer, Kansas, Friday afternoon. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the mortuary with family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday evening. Memorials may be given to the Russell Play Park Fund and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.