Donna G. Zerger

Donna G. Zerger, 66, of Topeka, passed away Monday, July 4, 2005 at her home after a heroic five and one half year battle with ovarian cancer. Donna was born on November 9, 1938 in Moline, KS to Don and Angeline Foulk. She attended Hutchinson High School and was a graduate from Hutchinson Junior College. She worked as a young lady in various dress shops in Hutchinson. She married Duane Zerger at Hutchinson in 1959 at the United Methodist Church. The Zerger family and approximately 100 families moved from Hutchinson to Topeka in 1967 with what is now the 190th Air Refueling Wing. Donna was an active parent volunteer at Southwest Avondale Elementary School where her two children attended. For several years she served as a Girl Scout Leader. She later became employed with the Educational Credit Union as a teller and retired in 1993 after over 20 years of service. After her retirement she enjoyed her employment with the state election board. Donna was an avid golfer and won the Topeka City 9 hole golf championship in 1991. As a member of the Topeka Public Golf Course she was the 9 hole golf champion during the years of 1976, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. As a member of the Forbes Golf Course she was the 9 hole champion in 1986 and 1989. At her death she was a member of the Lake Shawnee Ladies Golf Club and was also very proud of her affiliation as an officer in the (KWGA) Kansas Women's Golf Association. She and her husband were also members of the Lake Shawnee Couples Golf Club. The Zergers were members of the United Methodist Church, Loyal Order of Moose and the American Legion, Lake Shawnee Golf Course and Forbes Golf Course. During Desert Storm Donna and Duane made a commitment to meet every returning airplane and provide cold drinks after the troops 15 to 17 hour flight. After her husbands retirement with the 190th Air Refueling Wing, they became eligible to fly space available on military aircraft. Donna was always extremely proud of the many places she was able to see that was almost above a persons wildest dream. They made several trips to Hawaii, Pureto Rico, England and Germany. They also were able to visit the Bahamas, Alaska, Scotland, Switzerland, Baveria, Italy, Venice and Holland. Survivors include her daughter, Debbie Sarratt, Statesboro, GA, her son, Douglas of Topeka and her husband Duane. She had five grandchildren the last, Tanner, to be born four days prior to her death. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Zerger will lie in state after noon Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the famiy will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th St., Topeka, Ks. 66614.