Donna Murray
January 28, 1953 ~ July 18, 2022
Donna Lee Murray age 69 of Sumner, IA, died Monday, July 18, 2022, at UnityPoint Health - Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Henry Huber, officiating. Inurnment will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Lawler.
Friends may greet the family from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. prior to the Memorial Mass on Friday at the church.
Donna was born on Jan. 28, 1953, to James and Florian (Nosbisch) Murray In New Hampton, and she was the third born child of the couple’s four children.
She grew up in Lawler, where she developed a lifelong love for art and animals, especially dogs. Donna first attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic School before moving on to Turkey Valley, where she was a member of the Class of 1972.
After graduating, Donna attended Upper Iowa University and Mason City Cosmetology College before accepting a job as a caregiver at the Woodward State Hospital near Des Moines, where she worked for 34 years. Donna always loved helping people, and she enjoyed working with her patients and fellow employees at the hospital. When she retired, she moved to Fredericksburg to be closer to her family.
Donna loved working with ceramics and made many beautiful pieces for her family. She also enjoyed her flowers and being with her dogs throughout her life. She had a heart of gold and loved talking and visiting with people, often starting a conversation with that trademark Donna line, “What’s new?”
She never married, but she was a great aunt to her nieces and nephews and an even greater aunt to their children.
Donna touched many lives during her time with us, and her faith tells us that today she is in a better place, still helping people and starting a chat with “what’s new?”
She is survived by her brother, James (Linda) Murray of Waucoma; her sister, Bonnie Murray of Decorah; nieces and nephews, Mitchell (Meagan) Murray of Lawler, Kyle (Tonya) Murray of Waucoma, Jeremy (Rachel) Murray of Norwood Young America, Minnesota, Laura (Shawn) Hogle of Pleasant Hill, Jennifer (Keith) Golly of Altoona, Kari Horton of North Liberty; and David (Hanna Lunde) Horton of Oceanside, California; a number of great-nieces and great-nephews; and a brother-in-law, Gary Horton of Clarion.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Patricia Horton.
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I am so sorry for your loss. I have such great fun memories of Donna and the whole family. Sending prays
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss
Dearest DONNA….I ALWAYS LOVED YOUR SMILE! I AM SORRY THAT LORI MY WIFE WAS SO SICK IN THE LAST 42 YEARS OF OUR MARRIAGE….I ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN! I HAVE BEEN SICK MYSELF AFTER GOING TO VIETNAM…I HAVE NOT RECOVERED! MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE SWEET DONNA!
Our thoughts and prayers to the family. God bless.
My sympathy to all of the family. I did not know her well but know Bonnie. My aunt lived next door to the Murray family in lawyer. I worked with Bonnie at St. Joe’s Hospital
Sending prayers to the family
My Sympathy to the Family
Our sympathy!
So very to hear about Donna. Prayers for your families.
My sympathy and prayers to the family.
So saddened to read of Donna’s death. I will always remember her smiles and laughter, so contagious, and she always made a point to stop to see my mom when she was in town. My mom loved her. Hold your memories close as they comfort you in the days to come.
My deepest sympathy to Donna’s family. I always remember her smile and great sense of humor. Regards, Carmen (Nosbisch) Jarvis
The first time and only time I ever met Donna. It was at her house in Perry. With my Daughter (Felicia) and My grandma (Marlyn Murray) and Mom (Laura). Donna was nice and made you feel welcome. She had a Dalmatian dog. We played and petted while we were visiting in her home. It was good time and Memory.
Love, Gary, Jenny, Keith, Laura, Shaun, Kari, David & Hanna
My sincere sympathy to Donna’s family, She was a dear classmate for all our early years in Lawler. RIP, Donna.
To the family We send our sympathies on the loss of your sister Donna. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Roger and Maureen (Nulty) Harvey
Our deepest sympathy to the Murray family
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AMEN
Donna was my cousin and I have many sweet memories from childhood of her great sense of humor and laugh. She was sweet and kind and am sure that she took great care of the people in her charge as she was very accepting. My sympathies to your family I know she will be missed.
I have such sweet memories of summer escapes to my cousin’s house in Lawler. Donna was a fearless, playful ball of energy and as the younger child could slip out of the house and disappear before chores were assigned and never get in trouble like the rest of us.
She will be welcomed in heaven
I am so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. I fondly remember our family’s Sunday visits in Lawler during our childhood. Please accept my condolences to the family.
Carol (Nosbisch) Thompson
Q: How did you meet Donna?
A: I met Donna when we were students at Upper Iowa University.
Q: How did you meet Donna?
A: I’m sad to hear this and prayers for peace for the family during this sad time. I met Donna at UIU and have many very “fun” memories during our days at Upper Iowa.
We worked with Donna for years, first knowing her in the late 1970’s. We only had a cell number and we couldn’t seem to get ahold of her the last few years, calling several friends to no avail. Donna had her own Woodward Resource Center Family and the stories we can tell. We had tremendous fun back in those days with the thousands of miles of trips, eating out, our gatherings and of course, the clients of the Resource Center that we were very fond of. Donna was a lot of fun & sassy and those good times were truly a joy! We are very sad to have learned today that Donna had passed away. Her nickname was “Murray” to so many. Go rest high on that mountain, Murray; as your work on earth is through! All our love to the Murray Family, eventhough we never met you, we feel as we knew you all life long from Donnas’s stories.
Cindy Marchant & Dan Johnson and so many more from the Woodward Resource Center.
Dave and I are so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Dave worked with Donna at Woodward Resource Center. Donna was a funny gal! She could get on roll if you got her going. She had some great barbecues and was always ready to help out. As Dan Johnson related, we also tried to reach out after she moved from Perry but could not find her. May she rest in peace.
Dave and Angel Anliker