Dayna Joy Richardson, 78, of Hutchinson, passed away September 25, 2023, at Hospice House, after a brief illness. She was born January 10, 1945, in Hardtner, to Bert and Polly Ann (Gaddis) Nittler. Dayna was raised on the family farm in Lake City with five brothers and was always “Daddy’s Girl.”
A career educator, Dayna was passionate about teaching and learning. After graduating from Medicine Lodge High School in 1963 and Southwestern College in Winfield in 1967, she began teaching fifth grade in Shawnee Mission. Dayna graduated again from UMKC and taught in Lawrence and then moved to Reno County, where she loved working at RCEC, ESSDACK, and Buhler USD 313. Dayna was very involved with Learning Forward Kansas.
On September 1, 1979, she married Al Disney, in Hutchinson.
Dayna loved to travel, always calling them “field trips” - an opportunity to learn. She and Al visited all seven continents, taking loads of pictures for her annual slide show. Dayna loved the theater and Broadway. She was thrilled to see Barbara Streisand in concert recently. Decorating for the holidays, especially Christmas, brought her great joy. Dayna loved big family gatherings, cooking, flower gardening, Diet Pepsi, the color blue, all things Mickey Mouse, KU and HCC basketball, and shopping. It gave her great joy buying gifts for others.
Dayna is survived by: her husband, Al Disney; five stepchildren whom she loved as her own, Ann Stivers (Tom Fifer), Bradenton, FL, Gaye Disney (Tom Turner), Corpus Christi, TX, Chris Disney, Kim Disney (Gene Lenhart), Jill Hayes (James), all of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Tom Stivers (Taylor), David Stivers (Niki), Christopher Stivers (Diana), Johnny Novotny III (Jill), Thom Disney Black (Audrey), Heather Disney Black (David Rees), Kayley Hamlin (Kasey), Ben Hoffhines; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jan Nittler, Arkansas City, Kent Nittler (Sandy) Medicine Lodge, Bill Nittler (Laura), Medicine Lodge, Randy Nittler (Deb), Arkansas City, Jody Nittler (Debbie Boyce), Medicine Lodge; sister-in-law, Bev Manurzak (Zak), Wichita; many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Elliott Chapel. The service will be livestreamed and the link to view it below will be active beginning at 9:45 a.m. the day of the service.
Friends may sign her memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday thru Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Learning Forward Kansas or Buhler Community Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.