At Midwest Transplant Network, we proudly work with donor families to create quilts in honor of loved ones who have given the gift of life through organ donation. These beautiful tributes to lifesaving donors travel with us to events throughout Kansas and western Missouri. They are a powerful symbol that helps raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation while honoring those individuals who have given gifts of life. View our donor memorial quilts below.
In order to be included in our Donor Memorial Quilts, quilt squares must meet specified guidelines. For more information, please contact us or view our FAQs.
Quilt 3
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Quilt 3: Raymond Morris, Jr.
Quilt 3: Paul L. Schenke
10/27/1940 – 01/10/2002
Paul Schenke was a family oriented man, with a dry sense of humor. He died suddenly 1/10/02 from a blood clot. His donation of eye and skin helped several people. He loved camping and hiking, especially in the Colorado Rockies, serving as the subject for the quilt block. He loved baseball (go Royals!!) and football. He has passed this love of the outdoors and sports onto his two children. He has missed the birth of two grandsons, who do favor him in both personality and looks.
Kristin Fitzsimmons, BSN, RN, MSCN
Quilt 3: D.J. Prochaska
Quilt 3: Patty Jo Powell
Grandmother, mother, sister and aunt, Friend and companion, true confidant. We just call her Patty, not Patricia or Pat, All things we needed…Patty was that. We all knew her passion for giving, And called on her time and again. Whenever we’d ask her to help us, She’d always answer, “I can”. She did all the things we requested, She wore many a different hat. But her greatest gift was in giving, Unconditional love…Patty was that. Her family to her was so precious, And she guided and comforted all. Always there to pick us up. Each time we’d stumble and fall. She did all our mundane, tedious chores, Never asking tit-for-tat. Seemed her rewarding was the doing, Always there for us…Patty was that. She gave in so many different ways, But one thing she gave all the while. Was the joy that she spread with her laughter And the radiant warmth of her smile. What will we do without her? Who’ll patch up each little spat? Can we all get along with her? For when we needed help…Patty was that. Now she is gone and we don’t know why, We wonder why she had to go. Maybe God needed a task to be done, And when asked for a favor, Patty could not say no. So now she’s waiting to welcome us all, Whether beggar or aristocrat. She’ll usher us home with the warmth of her smile, Our own guardian angel…Patty is that.
Danny & Bell 9-7-02
Quilt 4: Donnel Marie Fry
Quilt 3: Butch Armfield
Quilt 3: Charles W. Wildberger
Charles William (Billy) Wildberger III passed away on July 3rd, 2001, at the age of 29. Billy was blessed in many ways, energetic, hard working, great sense of humor, and a zest for life matched by few. His greatest love and pastime was music, writing and playing his guitar, with fast hands and agility that would be envied by even the best musicians. Billy was a giving individual, always there to lend a helping hand. Although he is gone, he lives on in our hearts and in the hearts of many others through his donations, Charles, Linda and Paul Wildberger
Quilt 3: Barbara JoAnn (Bowlin) Mullikin
Quilt 3: Angela L. Doll
Quilt 3: Rhonda Kay (Stevenson) Taylor
Quilt 3: Jon Paul Mills
Quilt 3: John A. Waldman
Quilt 3: Jacob Shafer
Quilt 3: Jon Jason McMillen
Quilt 3: Carol Ann Keightley
Quilt 3: Zacory Donley
Quilt 3: Daniel Kenneth Parker
Quilt 3: Kenneth Widmer
Quilt 3: Tony D. Kaufman
Quilt 3: Andrew N. Bales
Quilt 3: Brianna Marie Endres
Quilt 3: Chad Carpenter
Quilt 3: Donald James Donnie Bland
Quilt 3: Brian Scott Arellano
Our son Brian was killed in a car accident on March 1, 2003. He had just turned 22 on Feb. 6th. He was a student at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. The design of the patch has a “B” in the middle. That was his nickname. He was a very outgoing, athletic young man! He played various sports growing up and excelled in football and baseball. The phrase “Carpe Diem” is Latin for seize the day. Brian had a tattoo on his chest that said this. Brian believed this and lived this. He lived his life to the fullest.
Mrs. Stacy D. Arellano
Quilt 3: Benjamin Lee Duty
Quilt 3: Donald Lee Hartwell
12/03/1928 – 09/11/2002
My Dad, Donald Lee Hartwell, was a lover of trains, steam engines, dogs, and his family. The picture on the quilt shows him sitting on my front porch swing (the porch swing being a favorite place of his) wearing his Kathy Train Cap, by my one one-eyed dog, Chuckie. The names of the dogs he had throughout his life are written around his picture. He was an eye and tissue donor, as he passed on September 11, 2002 (Patriots’ Day). His corneas were transplanted to two different people. One of them was given to a fifty-year old in Germany. How fitting, since exactly fifty years ago he was stationed in Germany as a helicopter technician during the Korean War. My Dad was an extremely kind and hard working individual. He was bound by his work and family and he spent his life helping others. The following quote best describes him: “No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”
Quilt 3: Jeremy Neal
Quilt 3: Jeremy Neal
Quilt 3: Michelle Purdon
Our Michelle was a beautiful baby who came into this world to loving parents and one brother, Greg, who adored her. Michelle’s life was not easy from birth, with many physical problems, however, her loving spirit was always bright and her sense of humor intact. She made many friends and was always loyal and true to each.
Submitted by Wilma J. Smith, mother
Quilt 3: Phil Steer
Quilt 3: Jim Steer
Quilt 3: Alicia Ann Chavez
Alicia was fourteen years old when she passed away on Monday, September 4, 2000 a day we will never forget. About two weeks prior to our car accident I took Alicia down to our DMV to get her learner’s permit. I thank God that we shared that experience because it was at that time that I learned that she wanted to be an organ donor. If we would have never had that discussion we would of never known that she would of wanted to give someone else the gift of life. We miss her terribly and we know that she will be always with us. We love you Alicia!
Missing you, Mom, Dad, Carlos, Chris and Alex J.
Quilt 3: Jeremy Lee Oelschlager
1986 – 2003
Designing this patch for Jeremy was beautiful, inspiring and rewarding. He was a loving son and a good friend to all he knew. He was a good listener and LOVED LIFE. The cross in the middle is the focus of his block because he had a strong Lutheran faith. He played football with a passion and was Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. Jeremy was very active in school activities. He loved FFA and was selected as North Central District Reporter for the 2002-2003 year. He loved kids and helping people. He will always be loved and missed!
Robbie and Mary Oelschlager, parents
Quilt 3: Gerald B. (Jerry) Moses
Quilt 3: Elmer E. Ables
Quilt 3: Charles William (Charlie, Chuck) Hugo
Quilt 3: Scott Aubra McGinnis
09/15/1978 – 09/18/2003
Scott cherished his family. They were the most important part of his life. He also had a true passion for his work in turf management. Our quilt block represents these aspects of his life. Family birthstone colors form the border. The garnet strip is for his dad, Ray. One sapphire strip for his mom, Tricia. The ruby color is for his much loved brother, Brent. The second sapphire border is Scott’s In each corner, touching all of our lives, is the amethyst color for his wife of three months, Kari. The background color is green, the color of healthy turf. The baseball diamond was chosen because that is the sport field Scott loved the most. Scott’s hometown is printed on the block where he has the strongest ties with his grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Quilt 3: James H. Fry
Quilt 3: Jerry R. Grable
Quilt 3: Robert A. Grotzinger
04/17/1937 – 11/19/2002
“Bob”, as we called him, was a loving, caring person, and wonderful family man. He never spoke a bad word about another person, he believed in the old saying “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.” Bob went to Westport High School, and graduated in 1955. He worked at many companies as a draftsman, and built his way up to Designing Engineer. He served in the Armed Forces, United States Air Force, and the Army National Guard; a total of 17 years of service. Because of his health he gave up the military and retired from Ditco in 1989. He also donated eleven years as a Reserve Police Officer for the Department of Blue Springs, Missouri. His hobby was flying Radio Controlled Airplane… a 15 year member of the 49th Mid-America Squadron of Jacomo Fleming Park-Jackson County, Missouri. (He flew the big one-80 inch wing span). At the time of his death he had over 20 Hangar Queens (planes) as he called them. Plus, he loved to ride his beautiful motorcycle. Bob and I are firm believers in donating our organs to help others. On our gravestone it reads, “Through Donation we live in others, Through cremation we fly on the wind.” Bob leaves his wife Nancy Bias Grotzinger, and two daughters, Kristine Elaine Pitman, and Jill Alice Grotzinger. There are four grandchildren: Amanda Nicole McDonald, Dalton Gage Pittman, Levi Scott Pittman and Elliot Grey Grotzinger/Frerichs.