STAFFORD — Donna Aileen Ellis, 91, died Sept. 21 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. Born Jan. 28, 1919, in Sylvia, she was the daughter of John Otto and Flossie Maye Ankerholtz. On March 30, 1938, she married Ona George Ellis in Medicine Lodge. He died on Nov. 3, 1985. Donna graduated from Sylvia High School. She was a homemaker and had many piano students. She worked at the Stafford District Hospital and was an active member of Eastern Star, holding many different offices for many years. In 1987 and 1988 she was appointed the Grand Organist for the Grand Chapter of Kansas. She was the church organist for the Methodist churches of Huntsville, Sylvia and Stafford.

Survivors include her brother, Jay Ankerholtz of South Hutchinson; two daughters, Kay Harrison and husband Gary of Hutchinson and Karen Smith of Stafford; daughter-in-law, Fran Ellis of Idaho; two sons, Greg Ellis and wife Hazel of Murdock and Kim Ellis and wife Kay of St. John; 17 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Gail Cusick; a son Gary Ellis; two grandsons, Rodney Stiggins and Dale Harrison; and great-grandson Timothy Stiggins.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Stafford with the Rev. Amy Slater presiding. Burial will be at the Sylvia Cemetery. Friends may call 3-7 p.m. today, with the family receiving friends 5-7 p.m., at Minnis Chapel in Stafford. Memorials may be sent to the Leisure Homestead of Stafford or Stafford Education Foundation to be used toward a music scholarship, both in care of the chapel.