Obituary for Danna Fowler

Danna J Fowler

July 23, 1938 – January 9, 2019

Danna J. McKune Fowler, age 80, long time resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 5-8pm Saturday, January 12, and 1-8pm Sunday, January 13, with the family present to greet friends from 2-4pm Sunday. A funeral ceremony to celebrate Danna’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, January 14, 2019 in the chapel at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory with Pastor Rob Harris, First United Methodist Church of Tonkawa, officiating. Following the ceremony, Danna will be laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Danna’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Danna was born on July 23, 1938 to James I. McKune and Esther E. Weitzel McKune in Salinas, California. She was raised in the Puget Sound area of Washington state, graduating from Ballard High School in 1956. One fateful day, while walking down the street in Seattle, WA during the annual Sea Fair festival, she caught the eye of a Navy Boilerman named Jerry, whose ship had come to the sound for the festival. He set out to meet her and their quick friendship turned into a spark of love with them getting married two weeks later on August 27, 1964 in National City, CA. Even though one minister told them their marriage wouldn’t last a year, they still loved each other intensely 54 years later.

Through the years, Danna held many jobs to assist in supporting the family. Some of her jobs included being a secretary for the city of Ponca City Water and Electric, a district manager for the Daily Oklahoman office in Ponca City, a cook at Ponca Bowl, a school bus driver for the Ponca City School System, as well as riding along as an aide to the beautiful souls of the Opportunity Center between her bus routes. Later, after being unable to drive the buses, Danna began working as an attendance secretary at Ponca City High School, retiring in 2007.

Helping others through quiet acts of service defined Danna’s life. Whether being a dedicated Camp Fire Girls leader, serving as a sponsor at Falls Creek campground, helping with vacation bible school, or just welcoming others into her home, Danna did so without expecting or desiring acknowledgment. As well, Danna was passionate about her Heavenly Hands Puppeteers team, which she loved directing to teach children of all ages about God’s love. Danna was very family oriented and especially loved the times when her kids were all together. There were many, many nights spent with her beloved family, and anyone else who happened to show up, playing card games at the kitchen table into the early hours.

Since July 2016, Danna has been under the loving care of Angela Haas and her wonderful staff at Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa. Danna’s family cannot thank Willow Haven enough for caring for Danna through these last 2½ years.

Survivors include her beloved husband Jerry Fowler of the home, children: Jacquie Jones and husband Ronald of Lexington, OK, Kim Hutchison of Mt. Angel, OR, Lisa Gruver of Wichita, KS, James Fowler and wife Eve of Crownsville, MD, Meri Welch and husband Raymond of Oklahoma City, Nicki Gaisford and significant other Doug Broyles, of Gage, OK, John Fowler and husband Jacob Stieber of Oklahoma City, 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Danna was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill McKune, sister Carol Anderson, and granddaughter Janelle Fowler.

Memorial contributions for Danna may be provided to Humanity Hospice, 13924 W. Quail Pointe Drive, Ste C., Oklahoma City, OK 73134 or the Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036‐3604, 1 (800) 380-3071.

Source: Trout Funeral Home