Donna Jean "DJ" Kuhn of Russell, Kansas, 66, died Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Wheatland Nursing Home after a courageous battle with cancer. DJ was born to Eldon and Norma (Born) Dreier in Freeport, Illinois. When she was growing up the family moved often, they lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Riverton, Wyoming, and Miami, Florida.
DJ graduated from Miami Killian High School in Florida and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming. She then held positions with Union Oil and Emphasis Oil and later became an employee of the US Postal Service where she worked for 36 years, retiring as postmaster in Victoria in April of 2022.
In 1996, she married Raymond E. Kuhn near Cripple Creek, Colorado, and they made their home south of Russell.
DJ attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell where she was a long-time member of the bell choir. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Women in Fellowship, Daughters of Isabella and Soul Sisters. She was also a strong supporter of the Special Olympics.
DJ’s zest for life was evident in the variety of activities she enjoyed. She was proud to have earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She enjoyed walking and being outdoors, traveling, shopping, reading, and enjoying time with her many friends. She was the ultimate party planner and decorator. She always came to social gatherings with hand-crafted gifts and favors. Besides working for the post office, she supported it as well as she often remembered friends with cards for holidays and other special occasions. Many of her postal customers became her friends and have stories of special favors she did for them. She was also known by her friends for being selfless and her many random acts of kindness, always in an unobtrusive way.
In addition to her spouse, DJ is survived by her son Andy Schultz of Great Bend, mother Norma of Russell, stepson Jon Kuhn of Wichita, her twin brother Brian Dreier and spouse Eugene Chavez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sister-in-law Marsha Dreier of Fort Laramie, Wyoming, sister-in-law Eileen Schmidt and husband Cecil of Rose Hill, Kansas, and very dear friends Amy Schmitt, Susan Krug, and Melanie Hoch.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Sarah Schultz, brother Craig Dreier, father Eldon W. Dreier, in-laws Ralph and Luella Kuhn, and sister-in-law Geraldine Kuhn.
Per her request, there will be no funeral service. A gathering will be held at 1:00 PM on April 2, 2023, at the Gorham Senior Center. Those wishing to honor her memory may donate to the Hays or Russell Special Olympics or the Russell Play Park in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.