Dona LaVerne Lee, 71, of Topeka, passed away September 13, 2016. She was born August 24, 1945 in Cole Camp, Missouri to Clarence and Georgia L. (Morgan) Brown. Dona lived in Missouri until she was 4, when her family moved to Michigan. She lived there until 1956 when at age 9 the family moved to Maple Hill, Kansas. Dona graduated from Maple Hill High School in May 1960, and went to LPN school one year out of high school. She later chose to go back to school for her Registered Nursing License, and attended Washburn University where she received her degree for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Dona married Levi V. Lee on May 1, 1992 in Topeka, Kansas.

Dona’s first nursing job was in an obstetrician’s office in Topeka working for Dr. Tappin. She worked for Memorial Hospital until its closing and then went to work for Menninger’s and Stormont Vail. Her last position was with Wyoming Behavioral Institute in Casper, Wyoming. She has been a nurse for 50 years, holding the positions of Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer.

Dona enjoyed crocheting, sewing and some crafts.

She is survived by her spouse, Levi V. Lee; children, Gina (Woodard) Dennis, Lena (Woodard) Deardorff; siblings, Arlene (Brown) Bays, Joyce (Brown) Figuroua; grandchildren in order of age, James Dennis, Nicolaas Hill, Joshua Dennis, Jorjenna Dennis, and Ashley Deardorff, and great-grandchild, Kobbie Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Georgia Brown and sister, Carolyn (Brown) Ezell.

Graveside services only are to be held at Rochester Cemetery on September 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a gathering after the service at the Community Center in North Topeka.

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