Donna Dee (Chasten) Counts, 72, of De Soto died Dec. 1, 2025, at her home. Ms. Counts worked as a legal secretary with Thompson & Coburn until her retirement due to her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She will be remembered as a smart, loving and selfless woman who loved spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She was a gifted seamstress, gardener and an avid reader. She was known for her remarkable memory and loved sharing stories from her life with vivid detail. She had a lifelong love of horses and animals. She enjoyed the company of her cat, dogs and her newest hobby of raising backyard chickens. Born July 11, 1953, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Violet Winingar Chasten and Paul H. Chasten.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years: John D. Counts.
She is survived by three children: Tonya (Peter) Schmidt and Sean (Jennifer) Counts, both of De Soto, and Kathleen (Mitchel) Falk of San Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren: Victoria Drinnin of Austin, Texas, James Falk of Austin, Texas, Madyson Falk of Austin, Texas, John Schmidt of De Soto, Dalton Falk of San Antonio, Texas, David Counts of De Soto and Logan Falk of San Antonio, Texas; a brother: Paul L. (Mary) Chasten of Lebanon; and many other family members and friends.
She also was preceded in death by a sibling: Linda Deniece Chasten.
A celebration of life is scheduled for noon Saturday, Jan. 17, at the De Soto Community Center, 400 Boyd St.