Danalee (Shamel) Hacker grew up in Competition, Missouri before moving to Bolivar to attend Southwest Baptist University (SBU) where she met her husband David. Shortly after graduation, on May 26, 1973 the pair married and moved to Kansas City where she attended graduate school at UMKC. Dana completed her MA in Psychology, working first at the Burrell Behavioral Health Center before beginning her teaching career at SBU in Bolivar. She has been described by many as a favorite teacher, and growing up our dinner table often included her favorite students. She retired from teaching in 2005.

Dana, known affectionately by her biggest fans as BOB, loved all things handmade. This, coupled with her creativity, generosity and desire to make people feel special, resulted in thousands of thoughtful, carefully crafted projects shared with friends, family and even complete strangers. Above all else, Dana loved David, her kids (Emily, Scott and John) and her grandkids (Henry, Jack, Sam, Emmaline and Annie) more than anything. She was never just a grandma. She was BOB and she could craft, riddle, score baseball games, decorate cupcakes and hula hoop with the best of them. She was perfectly thrifty, always proud to reveal her latest finds with “Guess how much?!” She loved and always cared for animals of all kinds, most recently adopting a second pup named Larry from the humane society.

Dana embodied grace, creativity, and thoughtfulness in all that she did. She welcomed everyone to her beautifully set table, always serving too much food, perfectly prepared and with a stunning centerpiece. The backseat of her car was over-stuffed with sweaters, umbrellas and care packages to hand to those in need as she drove the city streets. She saw the good in people and quietly helped them to see it too, lifting them up when no one was watching. She was a bright light that will continue to shine through the many, many family and friends she loved and inspired. Our sweet Bob was one of a kind and we will miss her terribly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Polk County Humane Society in Bolivar, MO.

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