Donna Stanley

Donna Fae (Arndt) Stanley, 94, peacefully passed away at home on November 1, 2025. She will forever be remembered by family as a lifelong learner, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Donna was born on August 26, 1931, in Wichita, Kansas, to her parents Frank and Gertrude (Carlton) Arndt. She grew up a happy child surrounded by Shirley Temple dolls and three brothers to keep her on her toes. As a teenager, she was forced to end her education early to work and help the family meet financial needs. But that didn't stop her from finishing her high school diploma, attending business school, and then nursing training later. In 1953, Donna met a handsome man in an Army uniform, and she married Roy Dale Stanley within just a few months on March 6 of that year. She followed her husband into the radio broadcasting industry, including owning and operating a radio station in Rolla, Missouri, for 16 years. They were happily married for over 40 years. Donna moved to Cape Girardeau in the 1970s and continued supporting the radio industry, while also stepping head-on into her role as grandmother and being affectionately known as "Nanie". She loved to travel taking grandkids on adventures and fulfilling her creative outlet as a talented quilter. Donna also was a master puzzle solver who could beat any opponent at a crossword or game of Scrabble. She also extensively researched her family's genealogy and kept that connection to the past alive for future generations. Donna was preceded in death by her husband and infant son, Timothy Dale. She is survived by her daughter, Julia Anne Grider (and son-in-law Raymond) of Dutchtown, Missouri; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The family expresses gratitude to Denise Egbuka, Naomi Dietzel and Crown Hospice for providing compassionate care at the end of her life's journey. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Thursday, November 6, 2025 at St. Ambrose Parish in Chaffee, Missouri with the Rev. Joseph Kelly officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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Donna Stanley

August 26, 1931 - November 1, 2025