Donita J. Paulk

Donita Hampsten Paulk, of Haven, passed away on June 1, 2024. She was 85. Donita was born in her grandmother’s house in Hooker, Oklahoma, the second daughter of Otis and Vesta Hampsten. The family later welcomed three more daughters which created a situation Donita never cared for–she always disliked sharing a bedroom. She grew up on a farm west of Tyrone, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Tyrone High school in 1957. Donita wasn’t cut out for farm life, as the first time she drove a truckload of wheat to the elevator a mouse ran across the floorboards. She stomped on the brake, jumped out of the truck and walked a mile home, telling Daddy that he could drive his own truck. She married Patrick Burton Wright of Liberal, Kansas over Christmas break of her senior year. They moved into a garage apartment in Tyrone while she finished high school. Life with Pat entailed many moves as he worked his way up the ranks with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company. First son Dennis was born in Liberal and second son Bill was born in Greensburg, Kansas. Early on, she received the nickname “D” because she attacked every chore and task with the unflagging, positive energy of a Diesel engine. Other homes included Howell, Michigan; Sedalia, Missouri; Haven, Kansas, Hallsville, Missouri and Centralia, Missouri. The moving company always had an easy job as Donita pre-packed everything to her exact specifications before they ever arrived on site. But she never minded moving as she knew she would make new friends wherever she went. Donita and Pat divorced in 1980, and she stayed in Centralia another ten years while Bill finished high school and college and she worked as a secretary in the international department of A.B. Chance Company. As a member of Centralia Country Club and Haven Golf Club, Donita cultivated her passion for golf and liked nothing better than to try to break 50 while dressed in a coordinated golf outfit with matching shoes, shirt and glove. But never a hat–that might tousle her carefully coiffed hair. The lure of her three grandchildren brought her back to Haven in 1991, where she met John Paulk while working at the Reno County courthouse. They married in 1996 and enjoyed many happy retirement years together. They traveled many times a year to the log cabin in Cuchara, Colorado that the five Hampsten sisters owned together. Donita was never happier than when family would come together, and laughter and joy filled the cool mountain air. Many memories were made of her vigorously stirring the taco soup with one hand and resting the other on her hip, as the orange jello with mandarin slices cooled in the fridge. She was also a tireless volunteer in Haven at the Church of Christ, the Food Bank, and the Haven Library. Survivors include husband John Paulk, Haven; son Dennis Wright and wife Carol of Council Grove; son Bill Wright and wife Jen of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren Jeff and Kristen Wright and their seven children of Council Grove; Max and Brittney Wright and their two children of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Maggie Wright of Council Grove; and Vance Wright of Boulder, Colorado. Sisters Sharon Houseman of Liberal, Kansas; Janice Dorsch of Edmond, Oklahoma; Kathleen and husband David Rutledge of Mustang, Oklahoma; and Carolyn and husband Steve Wischoff of Kerrville, Texas. Stepdaughters Dana and husband Ken Hase of Nickerson, Tonya and husband Kent Mayfield of Halstead and their families also filled a special place in her heart. Step grandchildren includes Brandon (Crystal) Hays, Christine (Jason) John, Dedra (Nathan) Hogan, Zoe Mayfield, Logan Mayfield along with 10 step great grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for June 29th at 10:30am at the Haven Church of Christ. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.

Donita J. Paulk

January 28, 1939 - June 1, 2024