Mission Hills Chapter meets on the fourth Monday of the month, at 11:30 a.m.
Prospective DAR members are very welcome! Contact us for details.

Click here to see our 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Mission Hills Chapter organized February 20, 1958, in the city of Mission Hills, Kansas. Mrs. Lewis H. Kessler, Organizing Regent, began with 15 members. One of our founding members, Mary McAuliffe Tucker (shown above), was among tri-centenarians recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

The chapter was active on all levels from the start. Shown at the right is Mrs. Kessler (Betty) and another organizing member, Nina Williams (Mrs. Damon E.), as they attended the "1776 District" in Washington, D.C., in 1961. The photographer who took the photo later mailed it to Mrs. Kessler. The postage was three cents.

Our chapter members create a wonderful panorama of age, experience, and interest. Member Betsy Heimke, for example, was a prisoner of war during World War II. Her story was published in The Kansas City Star in July 2008.

In 1941, Heimke and her brother, Billy, lived in Bagiou, Philippines, with their parents. Her mother and father taught school, and her father started a lumber company before World War II broke out. Heimke’s family became four of the 5,000 American civilians the Japanese imprisoned in internment camps. She has penned a memoir titled “Bring Cup, Plate and Spoon” about her experience.

The family was captured by Japanese soldiers on December 27, 1941, and taken to U.S. Army Camp John Hay, where they remained for three months. They were subsequently taken to Camp Holmes, outside of Baguio. After two years in Camp Holmes, the Japanese moved the prisoners to Bilibid Penitentiary in Manila, where conditions were very grim.

American troops ultimately arrived in Manila, and the camp was evacuated by the U.S. Army's 37th Division and the family was taken to freedom. Betsy is a member of the Heart of America Ex-POW organization.

The 2003 "National Award for Outstanding Service of a DAR Member" in the field of literacy promotion was given by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution to Diana Abitz, Mission Hills Chapter member. The photo shows Chapter Regent Betsy Heimke presenting the certificate.

Diana’s local contributions, which won her the national award, included a reading-writing-speaking program called "Student Experts in Training," presented as an after-school club for fourth to sixth graders. Drawing on the expertise of local scientists and businesses, she also initiated Science Night at Trailwood Elementary, providing hands-on opportunities to explore and read about our world.

Diana researched and developed a trivia game for classrooms to use during Constitution Week (Sept. 17-23). Because trivia games were so popular among students, Diana also invented four interactive trivia games incorporating classroom curriculum, including American history, geography, U.S. Presidents, and ancient civilizations.

Diana believes, "Learning to read is one way to promote self-esteem and empowerment."