Donna Jean Francis Paustian
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Donna Jean Francis Paustian passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her sons and her daughter-in-law, in Arlington, Texas on February 8, 2022, at the age of 93.
Donna was born on April 30, 1928, to Vern and Edna (Fleek) Francis in Reece, Kansas. Donna met her lifelong partner of 74 years, Carl Otto Paustian, while both were attending Fort Hays State College. She later in life attended the University of Texas at Arlington receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English and was a Delta Zeta Golden Rose. She was a charter member of St. Barnabas United Methodist Church and contributed years of service to St. Barnabas United Methodist Church and to the values of the United Methodist Church, through participation on the Central Texas Conference of Ministries, Board of Directors of the United Methodist Development Fund, Board of Directors of the United Methodist Women, countless officer positions for the St. Barnabas United Methodist Women, and other committees. She received numerous awards over the years including Mother of the Year; St. Stephens United Methodist Church, Church Woman of the Year; St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, and the Commission of the Status and Roll of Women's "Bridge Builder Award" for her work promoting and strengthening women's leadership in the United Methodist Church.
Donna was well known at the local, national, and global levels within the United Methodist Church for her steadfast advocacy of social and theological issues related to women's rights, children, and family values. The women of St. Barnabas thought of her as their mentor, due to her boldness in leadership.
In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband, Carl, and brother, Bill. Donna is survived by her son, Craig Alan, and daughter-in-law, Patricia Paustian; son, Marc Adair; grandchildren: Neal Paustian; Carrie Ann Mullinax, and her husband, Kerry; and Carl Paustian III; great grandchildren: Seth Mageo, Alana Mullinax, and Samuel Mullinax; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ripper Francis; and cousins: Michele Francis Rehberg, and husband, Charles; John D. Francis, and wife, Julie; Brian Fleek Francis; and Paul Ripper Francis, and wife, Jill. She found joy and happiness during the times she spent with her family, friends, and traveling with her husband.
A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas, February 15th, at 10:00am followed by a graveside ceremony at Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas at 2:00pm.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Barnabas United Methodist Church, St. Barnabas Methodist Church Youth programs, or the City of Arlington Animal Shelter.