HOISINGTON — Delora Mae Donovan was born in 1936 at the country-home of Jerome and Lenora Donovan at the end of the dustbowl days in Hoisington, Kan. Delora grew up with her siblings Gerald, Melva and Marvin. A vigorous volunteer for many non-profit organizations and an activist for progressive social causes, she traveled to China with the Peace Corps, helped build a church in Zimbabwe, canvassed voters with the League of Women Voters, visited Kazakhstan four times, supported Planned Parenthood and donated to classical opera organizations.
Awarded a scholarship from the Hoisington Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, she pursued a successful career in nursing at St. Luke’s School of Anesthesia, St. Francis University and K-State. She actively lobbied the legislature in Topeka in the 1970s on behalf of the Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and also served as its president from 1978-1979. She worked at various hospitals around Kansas, delivering hundreds of babies and providing anesthesia on surgeries, until finally retiring at the age of 77.
In 1996, she became a host-mother to Timur Bekbosunov, who came to live with her from Kazakhstan. She legally adopted him in 2011, becoming a mom at the age of 75. A passionate fan of contemporary opera and classical music, she became a founding trustee of the Art of Opera Foundation in 2009.
An avid gardener, she cultivated numerous flowers in her garden and spearheaded a community garden in the Riverside. She held numerous volunteer positions with the United Methodist Women, the North Riverside Neighborhood Association, Open Door, Interfaith Ministries and supported the Democratic Party. She was highly active at the Woodland United Methodist Church, contributing countless hours over decades by serving on every imaginable church committee, the Youth Group, Bell Choir and after-school children programs, while creating beautiful quilts for over 20 years with her beloved Woodland Quilters group.
She was devoted to her four-legged family members, Brittany dogs. Whether it was delivering neighborhood newsletters, serving meals to homeless, or supporting women’s rights, Delora firmly believed in the spirit of giving back to the society. She was a brave and strong woman, who courageously battled her pancreatic cancer for over a year after a stage IV diagnosis. This was a testament to her vibrantly inspiring perseverance. She passed away on March 24th, 2015, surrounded by loving family. Delora is survived by her brother Gerald, son Timur and a large multigenerational family. Memorial service was held on April 26th, 2015.
Services for her final resting place will be held July 8, 2022, with family to receive friends at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home beginning at 3 p.m. At 3:30, there will be a time of sharing and scripture followed by the inurnment ceremony at the graveside, in Hoisington Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on July 9, at 2 p.m. at Woodland UMC, 1100 W 15th St N, Wichita, 67203.
Notices may viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
