Donna Rae Merritt Felsheim

Donna Rae Merritt Felsheim, aged 76, of New Bloomfield, passed away October 19, 2020, at Capital Region Medical Center. She was born on May 5, 1944, in Atchison, Kansas to F. R. Merritt and Bernice Raffety Merritt. She graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1962, and attended Jefferson City Public School of Nursing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. In 2015, she celebrated having been a nurse for 50 years. In 1963, she was married to Larry Clardy. Although they were divorced, they remained good friends and co-parents to their sons. On October 13, 1979, in Jefferson City, she married Joseph Michael Felsheim. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1987, Mrs. Flesheim was a skilled quilter and member of the Rooster Creek Quilt Guild. She was an avid horsewoman, a Red Hatter, and active in the New Bloomfield Farmer's Market. She was a licensed practical nurse and was employed in several private practices, Charles E. Still Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital; then by Fulton State Hospital from which she retired in 2006. She valued the patients she worked with there and was proud to have been a part of their caregiving team. Mrs. Flesheim is survived by her sons: Jeffrey Clardy and his wife Melenie, Joel Clardy and his wife Mary, and Aaron Flesheim; daughter: Lisa Hargus; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother-in-law: David Chmidling; nieces: Rhonda Turner and her husband Jerry, Becky Goulson and husband Bob, and Deanna Bisges and her husband Tom. She is also survived by her companion of almost 30 years, Don Demeyer of New Bloomfield. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Doris Chmidling. A graveside service for Mrs. Felsheim will be on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that expressions of sympathy may be made to Heart of Missouri Humane Society, Wild Things Feral Feline Fix or Callaway Hills Animal Shelter. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.