Donna Lee Van Arsdale

Donna Lee Binns Van Arsdale, 87 passed away early Friday, March 27, 2026 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS.

She was born on July 3, 1938, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, the daughter of Ralph C. and Goldie R. Wheeler Binns.

Donna attended Gridley High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. After graduation she moved to Topeka, KS and worked at the state mental hospital. She found great fulfillment and joy in working with the children at the hospital.

In October of 1957, Curtis Van Arsdale, the one true love of Donna’s life, proposed to her. They were married at the Gridley Christian Church on January 5, 1958. It wasn’t a normal winter day, as the sun was out, no snow and it was 60 degrees. Quite the omen for young newlyweds as they began their lives together.

They made their home in Fredonia while Curtis worked for the railroad. After a few months, they moved back to Gridley, KS and lived with Curtis’s parents, Clarence and Alice. They lived in Gridley, Eureka and finally made their home in Madison, KS from 1964 until Donna moved to The Meadows in October 2024 to be closer to her daughters as her health was declining. At first, she wasn’t thrilled at the thought of moving, but she knew that she needed the change. She joined in on the crafts projects and other activities and enjoyed spending time with the residents. While at the Meadows, she got to have all the mashed potatoes and gravy she could want. She found out she had a lot more in common with the residents as she grew up in the Strawn area, moving to Gridley in 1952.

She and Curtis enjoyed attending their grandkids many events including, soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, baseball and softball.

After Dr. appointments in Emporia, she would swing by McDonald’s and get 2 small hamburgers and might even go over to Braum’s and get ice cream. That even continued when her daughters would take her to appointments.

She loved to craft. She didn’t take up crocheting until in her 50’s but made Afghan’s and dollies for family and friends.

She also enjoyed doing stamped embroidery. The only thing is that her girls would buy a kit and think they could complete it before her. Donna always seemed to finish it first.

Donna was a stay-at-home Mom until 1973 when she went to work at Madison Elementary as a teacher’s aide. She only worked half days in the afternoon, so she could get her 3 of us girls off to school. She retired in 2004. She had so many titles, teacher’s aide, kitchen helper, lunchroom monitor, nurse, library aid and office helper and many more for sure.

She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Sunday School Teacher. She loved working with children.

Donna was a member of the First Christian Church in Madison, KS, and held previous membership at the Christian Church in Gridley, KS. She was a long-time member of the Order of Eastern Stars White Rose Chapter #297 of Gridley.

She was always checking in on everyone to make sure that they were doing okay. Even in her last days she would ask about the all grandkids and great grandkids

After retirement, her and Curtis enjoyed fishing at the Madison lake, traveling with Curtis with the Masons, attending grandkids events, crafting, quilting, attended Madison High School football games until her health declined. Her granddaughters went on several trip to watch football games. The girl’s said Grandma was ready with all the snacks you could want for the trip.

She enjoyed trips with kids and grandkids to Colorado, South Dakota and Oklahoma.

Donna carried on Family Traditions of colored egg deviled eggs, colored egg salad, cranberry salad and the famous Christmas cake. The goofy cake was her go to cake for family birthdays.

Loved her 4-legged sons and grand pups.

She will live on through the eyes of her daughters, Cindy Novinger and husband Alan of Burlington, Linda Nordeen and her husband Roger of Olathe and Deann Parks and her husband Gary of Richmond, sister in law Wilma Hess of Madison; a brother and sister – in-law Lonnie and Shirley Van Arsdale of Gardner; grandchildren, Laura (Matt) Spann, Bradie (Danny) Baker, Sydney (Chase) Harder, Sarah (Tanner) Nordeen, Garrison Parks; great-grandchildren, Denver Brown, Hunter Harder and Avery (Cade) Miller; numerous extended family and friends, especially The Meadows Assisted Living residents and staff.

She is proceeded by, her husband, Curtis, her parents, brothers, Ralph C. Binns, Jr, William A. Binns, Robert E. Haas, sisters-in-law, Sharon K.   Van Arsdale, Erica A. Binns and Betty M. Haas; a brother-in-law, Dale Hess; a nephew Scott A. Van Arsdale; her mother and father-in-law Clarence and Alice Van Arsdale.