Ladonna M. Westbrook

Ladonna Mae Westbrook, 69, of Newton, KS and formerly of Canton, KS, entered into eternal rest at 1:08 AM on November 21, 2025, at Paramount Community Living and Rehab.

Ladonna was born to Harold and Luella (Gerken) Schlicht on December 12, 1955, and filled the role of baby of the family well. She had been a lifetime resident of the Canton area until a fall in June 2024 that resulted in a badly broken ankle which required more care for her day to day living.

Growing up, she had attended Spring Valley country school in rural Canton and later was part of the first graduating class of the merged Canton-Galva High School in May 1973. It was at the high school that she met the love of her life, Don Westbrook. They just celebrated 52 years of marriage. Don had just passed away on September 14, and that led to a significant decline in her health.

On March 9, 1973, Ladonna and Don were united in marriage at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Canton. She had been a lifelong member there having been baptized and confirmed in her faith. Their union was blessed with three children, Heather Dawn, Johanna Mae, and Dale Ray.

As an adult, she held many jobs. Some of those were bank teller, nursing home and school cook, hotel management, school photographer, paraprofessional, and exchange student placement coordinator. She also spent many years working for Kmart Corporation where she served many roles. Ladonna volunteered for 20 years with Canton EMS.

Ladonna loved her children and grandchildren very much. The love didn’t stop there though. She had many nieces, nephews, and friends that were all welcomed with open arms. She held a great love of crafting, gifting, and cooking for the multitudes even when she didn’t feel like doing so. Her family meant the world to her.

Ladonna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and her brother & sister-in-law, Richard & Nancy Schlicht.

Survivors include her children, Heather (John) McCage of Grand Prairie, TX, Johanna Dawes of McPherson, KS, and Dale (Amber) Westbrook of McPherson, KS; a brother, Ron Schlicht of Osage Beach, MO; and a sister, Sharleen (Dick) Hamilton of Cedar Edge, CO. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Thayne, Jacob (Kelsie), and Jalen McCage, Logan, Jaiden, and Kinsey Dawes, and Aiden Moore, Addy, Aimel, and Alaric Westbrook; two great-grandsons, John and Jordan Fuller; and a whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Canton, with Pastor Troy Slater officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM, Saturday, November 29, at the church.

Memorial donations can be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.