LaDonna Anderson
October 23, 2025
LaDonna Kay “DAWN” Anderson was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 11, 1949. Given up for adoption as an infant, LaDonna was chosen by Don and Violet Anderson of Galena, Kansas. Her father was a preacher for the Assemblies of God, and her mother was a budding young artist who had no idea the incredible human being that God had given to them to care for.
From her earliest days, LaDonna Kay was a force to be reckoned with. The red hair and blue eyes should have been a giveaway that LaDonna Kay would be different than all the rest. She was always big and loud and the center of attention as an only child, and nothing changed her entire life. The little ball of heat and light only got bigger and brighter as she grew older.
LaDonna Kay learned piano as a child to play piano for her father in his services. Her talent became refined as she grew older becoming an incredible pianist. But it didn’t stop there because LaDonna loved to sing, developing into one of the best singers to ever come along.
LaDonna Kay had a penchant for humor and pulling pranks. She was a leader of the pack, not a follower and that stayed true her entire life.
After working in the auto glass industry in Fort Worth, Texas in the 1980’s, LaDonna Kay learned a skill that would carry her on for the rest of her days. After marrying David Kuhler, whom she introduced into the industry, they ended up relocating back home to Joplin, Missouri where they started the business Anderson Glass in 1993, until retiring in 2022. She and her husband Dave, and eventually her children Darrin Dean and Jace would develop Anderson Glass into the top auto glass repair shop in the entire Joplin area. But that only led to a greater life ministry for her that would touch the lives of thousands, creating friendships that would last a lifetime.
LaDonna Kay Anderson became a local celebrity doing commercials and cooking shows, as well as being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Missy famously she was for being Hug Lady on 3rd Thursdays in downtown Joplin.
LaDonna Kay never met a stranger, and she knew how to make strangers into friends. Nobody did it better than her.
Behind the scenes LaDonna’s piano playing and singing were always a major part of who she was and the source of joy to all who heard.
Ladonna was the rebel who gave her life to Jesus making her life work touching others by loving them the way He did.
On October 18, 2025, Jesus came to take LaDonna home to be with her mother and father and husband David who preceded her in death, along with her entire family who were waiting for her.
LaDonna Kay is survived by her children Dean and Nicole Campbell and Jace and Leslie Kuhler, along with 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, as well as her brothers Kevin Ray Anderson and Steven Bliss, and the many others whom she loved deeply and were like children to her.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Christpoint Church, Galena. Travis Goad and Mandy Meadows will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena.