Donna Jean (Carpenter) Knipe, 97, died peacefully June 1, 2026, at Shawnee Parc Assisted Living in Overland Park. All her children were able to say their goodbyes.

Donna was born Jan. 30, 1929, at Burdett to parents John Dewey ‘J.D.’ and Melissa E. (Fairchild) Carpenter. She spent her childhood days in Pawnee Rock, with brothers, Dewey Dale Carpenter and Thaine Carpenter. Growing up, Donna made excellent grades, played girls basketball and baseball, and enjoyed most being the drum major for the Pawnee Rock High School marching band.

Donna married Bill Engleman at the Pawnee Rock Methodist Church on Oct. 19, 1947. They briefly lived in Wichita and Osborne, before moving to their country home south of Great Bend. She married Guy ‘Max’ Knipe Sept. 22, 1974. They continued to live in Great Bend until 2018, when they moved to Overland Park.

She is survived by children, Rhonda Sue Engleman Young of Haymarket, Va. and Dana C. Engleman (Carol) of Overland Park; stepson Guy Michael Knipe of Great Bend, and Debra Kay Keil of Broken Arrow, Okla.; one brother, Thaine Carpenter of Lawrence; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; brother, Dale; and two grandchildren. A son, Randall Lynn Engleman died Sept. 13, 2026.

Donna loved her church, her family and friends. She was passionate about gardening, needlework, cooking, traveling, reading and playing bridge. She was a tireless volunteer for the Great Bend First United Methodist Church and Meals on Wheels.

Memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend. Inurnment will be in Pawnee Rock Cemetery. Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 10, 2026