Donath, Vicki Leann Stites

Vicki Leann Stites Donath, 55, passed away Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at her home in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

She was born Feb. 26, 1956, in Chariton, Iowa, to Junior and Maxine (Stockton) Stites. She and John “Phil” Donath were married March 17, 1986. They had been married 23 years when he passed away July 17, 2009.

Vicki was a graduate of Chariton High School in Chariton and received her bachelor's degree from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. In the mid-1980s, she earned her master's degree at the University of Illinois in Champagne.

She was employed for 15 years with Tanager Place near Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, working extensively in adoption and foster care as the director of Community Services. She was then employed for five years in social work at the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa.

While living in Cedar Rapids, Vicki was a Girl Scout leader, and especially enjoyed traveling with the girls.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Erin Donath of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Heather (Andrew) Webb and children, Avery, Hayden and Hannah, of Anna, Ill.; her father and stepmother, Junior and Wilma Stites of Charles City, Iowa; a brother, Michael (Carol) Stites of Chariton; a brother-in-law, Lloyd (the late Jolene) Curtis of Promise City, Iowa; three nieces, Shelly Curtis (Mark Sharp) of Promise City, Melissa Nine (David Gooding) of Marshalltown, Iowa and Delsey (Tony) Hinners of Dayton, Iowa; two nephews, Rodney (Kristal) Stites of Chariton and Loren Curtis of Promise City; 12 great-nephews and great-nieces, Laci, Josie, Michael, Dalton, Riley, Dylan, Gavin, Ethan, Eve, Parker, Ben and Preston; and many other dear family members and close friends.

Survivors of her late husband's family include his parents, Frank and Kathryn Donath, now of Overland Park, Kan., and formerly of Sedalia, Mo.; his sister, Diane Penland of Overland Park, Kan.; and many other dear family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Donath; her mother, Maxine Stites; her sister, Jolene Curtis; and paternal grandmother, Gail Stites.

Friends may call Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to time of service at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ed Adcock officiating, followed by burial at Chariton Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the family or the Ronald McDonald House.

Notice by McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting  and .

Published Oct. 6, 2011, in The Gazette