Donita M. Cohorst

Donita M. Cohorst, 66, of Marysville, KS, died Monday, August 3, 2015 at the Hanover Long Term Care in Hanover, KS. A celebration of life for the so many friends and family that have touched Donita’s life will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Marysville. Please feel free to wear your best hat! The family invites friends to Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville, on Sunday, August 9, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. for some laughing and giggling. Donita was born at the Halstead Hospital, Halstead, Kansas on November, 27, 1948. Her father was Alva Malcolm Steele and her mother was Bertha May Hosie Steele. Donita attended Mt. Pleasant District 41 School several years before continuing at Halstead Elementary school. She attended Halstead High school graduating in 1966. Donita attended Kansas State University graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Foods & Nutrition in 1970 and a Master’s degree in Foods and Nutrition in 1971. She moved to Indiana University and Purdue University at Indianapolis, In. to complete a dietary internship to receive her Registered Dietitian certification. Donita married Steven James Cohorst on August 16, 1969 in the First Methodist Church, in Halstead, Kansas. Donita has 2 sons, Scott James Cohorst (wife Jo Ellen, Sons James & John, Evansville, Indiana) and Sean Michael Cohorst (significant other - Danielle Pishny, Marysville, Ks) Surviving family members include: husband Steven Cohorst, sons Scott and Sean (and their families), sisters Carole Steele Becker (Ron Becker of Loveland, Co), Marlene (Marny) Steele Richter (James (Jim) Richter of Loveland, Co), sister-in-law Joy Penner (Clayton Penner of Newton, Ks), aunt Louene McBride (celebrated her 100 birthday on July 12 allowing Donita to visit many relatives) and many very loved nieces and nephews. Preceding family members include: Alva M Steele (Father), Bertha M Steele (Mother), Duane Alva Steele (Brother), and Mark Becker (nephew) Donita lived in Manhattan, Ks, Indianapolis, In, Ft Belvoir VA, and Dayton, OH before moving to Marysville, Ks in 1976. She worked for Lafene Student Health Center at KSU, Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio and in the Food Industry as a dietary consultant at several agencies of aging, WIC agencies, nursing homes in Marshall, Washington and Nemaha Counties and other institutions before becoming the director of USD 364 food service. After leaving the food service she worked at Kansas State University a year as the Coordinator of the Nutrition Network before helping her husband with appraisals. Donita became a Pampered Chef consultant primarily as a teacher. She enjoyed helping people learn to cook and held many training classes in her kitchen. Activities and organizations 1) Cooking, Cake Decorating, Started a cake decorating supply (primarily Wilton Products) in here home. Started the cake pan sharing program at county extension office, Food Service Director at USD 364 (12 years), private consulting, teaching food service directors & employees statewide . 2) Halstead Cloverleaf 4H Club 3) Singing – Sweet Adeline’s (Wamego KS 20 Years), Marysville community choir, Memorial Presbyterian Church Choir, Any church that would let her sing (St. Gregory Church choir), Marysville barbershop group, quartet 4) Boy Scouts of America –Troop leader and support, completed both Cub Scout Woodbadge and Boy Scout Wood Courses, and received the Jayhawk area council Silver Beaver award. 5) Rotary International – Received the Paul Harris Award. 6) American Dietetics Association 7) EHU - Lucky Mrs Unit And New & Friendly unit. 8) Arthur Barrett Chapter DAR – Held all local offices and received the Outstanding young Junior Award. 9) Military -- American Legion Auxiliary. Supported her husband during his career in the Kansas Army National Guard. Supported Son Scott in his military career which included a 15 month tour of duty in Iraq. 10) Memorial Presbyterian Church – Choir and Deaconess 11) Pampered Chef consultant – Many accomplishment which she was very proud. She rose to the position of director shortly before she retired. Donita would want each person to live life to the fullest and to always think positive. Donita donated her body to science. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University, the Memorial Presbyterian Church, or The Kansas Learning Center for Health in Halstead, KS. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donita M. Cohorst, please visit our flower store.