Obituaries

Ruth Ford, 97, of Bates City, Mo., passed away October 6, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born Ruth Louise Herbert on April 20, 1925, in Breckenridge, Mo, to Edmund Henry and Naomi Vivian (Woolsey) Herbert.

Dona Lee Larsen passed away at age 87 on September 29, 2022. Dona was born and raised in Independence Missouri. She attended William Chrisman High School where she met and married Stephen P. Larsen in 1953. After the wedding the couple moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he was stationed with the Air Force and later attended several universities. During their time in Texas Dona trained and worked as a dental assistant. She also followed her passion for music and entertaining by performing as a singer and guitarist at local events. She was a devoted mother. In 1968 they welcomed the arrival of their son Cameron, and in 1973 the family returned to Independence in part to be near extended family. Upon their return to Independence, she joined the Independence Young Matrons and Dona became a mainstay in the annual children’s theater production for decades. Her unique humor brought laughter to generations of children. She cherished the many deep and long-lasting friendships that grew from her years in Young Matrons. Her closest friends were also her 33rd Street neighbors. They raised their children together, laughed, mourned, and supported each other through the years. Dona’s second career act came with Hallmark Cards. She took great pride in her work with the executive holiday card program. She personally addressed the greeting cards sent by Don Hall with her exceptionally beautiful handwriting. She retired from Hallmark shortly after moving to Overland Park, Kansas to be near her grandchildren. Her greatest pride and joy was her son and his children. She loved being a grandma and could soothe a fussy baby better than anyone. She followed and supported all of their activities growing up and loved hearing of their achievements. She is preceded in death by her parents Roy E. and Ruby L. West and her husband Stephen P. Larsen. She is survived by her son Cameron (Kirsten) and grandchildren, Griffin, Arden, and Harper. There will be a private family interment at the Missouri