The Oklahoma City Community Foundation trustees and staff offer our sincere condolences to the family of Herman and LaDonna Meinders upon news of his passing.
Herman and LaDonna lived their lives defined by generosity toward others, an unwavering belief in the power of hard work and giving back to their community.
They first interacted with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation during a Kirkpatrick Family Fund match campaign for one of their favorite nonprofits working to grow an endowment fund. Through the years, the Meinders supported several funds through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation including the Oklahoma City University – Mark Parker Endowed Faculty Excellence Award Fund, Last Frontier Council – Diamond H. Scout Ranch Endowment Fund, Meinders Building and Maintenance Endowment for Myriad Gardens Fund, Oklahoma Youth Expo – Meinders Fund and several others.
Herman Meinders developed his entrepreneurial spirit early on. He moved to Oklahoma City upon graduating from high school and later attended Oklahoma City University. Although he only stayed at OCU for one year, he knew he had a knack for the business world and pursued his storied career starting as a traveling salesman. Climbing the corporate ladder, success would soon follow when he eventually became the owner of American Floral Service, which became the world’s largest floral delivery service.
In 1986 he married his wife LaDonna, an accomplished pianist and author, and eight years later, he sold his global business to his competitor, Teleflora. That same year, he and LaDonna established the Meinders Foundation so that the couple could give back to the community to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Throughout their lifetimes, Mr. and Mrs. Meinders received numerous honors for their charitable and civic contributions. Herman was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and given the Oklahoma City University Distinguished Alumnus Award. LaDonna published four books, was named Oklahoma Mother of the Year, and served as president of the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, was on the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Board, and served for five years on the volunteer council for the National Orchestra League.
The Meinders were Oklahoma City University’s largest donors, gifting $18 million that funded the construction of the Meinders School of Business.
LaDonna Kramer Meinders died at home surrounded by their family on October 29, 2024.
Herman Meinders passed away on March 30th at age 87. His funeral is set for Friday, April 4th at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City at 2:00 p.m.