Donna Swehla
October 17, 1928 ~ April 7, 2010
Donna Swehla, age 81, of New Hampton, IA died at her home of natural causes.
Donna Schumacher was born on October 17, 1928, in Fredericksburg, IA, the daughter of Albert and Clyta (Schroeder) Schumacher. She was united in marriage to Donald Swehla on October 23, 1951. Donna was a school teacher for a period of 20+ years. She also worked as a dispatcher for the Chickasaw Sheriffs office for 10+ years. Donna took great pride as a volunteer and supporter for the Chickasaw Senior Centre for many years. She is a member of the Holy Family Parish.
Donna enjoyed polka festivals, sharing dessert with friends, crocheting, playing cards, travel, crossword puzzles, and her grandchildren.
Donna is survived by her one daughter, Sharon K. Swehla-Schuurmans and her husband Franck Schuurmans of Madison, WI; two sons, James E., his wife Gina, and daughter Nicole of Springfield, IL, and Dale J., his wife Mary, and three children Matthew, Sheena, and Natalie of Waterloo; one brother Wayne Schumacher and his wife Nadine of New Hampton.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Donald Swehla on January 9, 1990.
Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Cemetery:
Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista.
Visitation:
Visitation will be on Monday, April 12, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, with a scripture service at 7:00 pm at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Service:
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in New Hampton, IA with Msgr. Carl Schmidt officiating.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
“Grandma Donna” will truly be missed by all of us. Family holidays will not be the same. We loved having her there with us. Jennifer, Meghan, and Manda
that your were our very special sister is a priceless treasure. What wonderful memories we built together; to look back on, and remember. You will be so missed! But you will always be in our hearts, and cherished! we love you! farewell my good buddy. thank you for being my Sister and good friend,too.
When a treasure becomes a memory. That memory becomes a treasure. I will never forget how special you made my golden birthday. The decorated cake with an angel, the brown furry coat with the fur trim. It has always been a cherished memory of mine. Your smile the day you got on our motorcycle for a ride a couple of years ago. Who was more surprised to see you get on it Maybe me! We will truly miss you. Love you.
Aunt Donna MaeGrandma Donna, We were so fortunate to have you in our lives. So many nice memories of you, especially around the holidays for us. Your smile and laugh will always be with us. We will miss you.
Sharon and familywe are so sorry and so sad for the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you throughout the next few days and weeks. We love you and peace be with you! Krista Carl Henry Owin
The Swehla Family, Know that are thoughts and prayers are with each of you through this difficult time. May the memories and good times help your family deal with your loss. We are thinking of you. With Our Deepest Sympathy, Deb and Joe Manker and Family
We are sorry for your loss, we hope and pray the lifetime of memories that your family has of great times spent with Mom will help everyone through this time. Praying for the family. Brett Debi l
Will always enjoy remembering our times together. The city cousin helping with chores. Glad you happened in my lifetime.
Cherished Memories for each of you. Donna was a very special caring friend. We will all miss her, but praise God we had the opportunity to be her friend. God Bless each of you .
Dale and family – My thoughts and prayers are with you right now.
Dale and Family, We were sorry to learn of your mothers sudden passing; our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dale, Mary Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brad Kim Bunce family
Death is hard at any time, but when it is unexpected, it seems to be even harder. She was a special lady and we always enjoyed visiting with her. We still exchanged letters at Christmas to catch up. She will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult timeSue Ole
Donna was a very special lady and I enjoyed her friendship immensely. I worked with her in Poynette for many years and continued that friendship after she retired through the mail. She will be missed greatly. God bless and I will always cherish our memories.
I have good memories of “Mrs. Swehla” as my teacher in NW. I even accidentally called her “Mom” once.
Im so, so very sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time.
Jim, Dale and Sharon, I havent seen your mom or any of you for a very long time. But I always will remember what a gracious hostess your mom was when we visited the farm. I am Ben and Mayme Dockendorfs youngest daughter. We were all together recently when one of Arlenes sons passed away and we talked about making a trip to Iowa in July of this year. I know this is a difficult time for all of you, but what ablessing for such a peaceful death. Our sincere sympathy, Jack and Carol Trostle.
Jim, Gina Nicole. You have not left our thoughts since we first heard about your mom. You have been in our prayers since. Please celebrate her life and the many memories she gave to you.
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. 🙂
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Swehla family
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Sending my thoughts and prayers to all of you during this difficult time. My deepest and sincere sympathy yo the entire family. With love, Tammy Schultz
So sorry to hear about your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Molly (McGrane) Pins
So Sorry to hear about your Mom , she was a very sweet lady, Gary and I both had her for a teacher in North Washington. Gary enjoyed working with her at the center. May God Bless you and your family. Linda and Gary Steven
Sorry to hear of Donnas passing. Our prayers go out to the Swehla family.
Will always remember your Mom. We have many memories of her on the farm. Yes we are the city cousins who couldnt drink milk from cows. We had to have milk from the store!!! Our love and prayers to the family.
Your mom will truly be missed, she was a great person! You will have to keep the memories of her close to your heart. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.Dan, Mary, Garret and Nathen
To the Family we are sorry for your loss. Your mother was a great volounteer for New Hampton. Jim, I will try to get up to the Church for a visit before the Funeral. Lynn Schwickerath
We enjoyed Donna coming along for a visit several times,we enjoyed getting to know her. May the peace of God be with you all. Love Blanche and Gordon
You have our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our mothers have been very good friends for quite some time. She will be missed.
Jim, Gina, Nicole, and family, Deeply saddened to learn of your Moms passing, Jim. From her reflection that I see in you, I know she was an extraordinary person. Our prayers and thoughts are with you always. Mike and Debbie Jones and the girls
To Donnas family, I work at the Chickasaw Centre and was gone when your mom passed away. When she was at the Centre her job was to wash off the tables after lunch, so her and I always met at the sink and visited. I was looking forward to telling her about our trip. She was also my teacher when I was in elementary school in Alta Vista. She always was so interested in what was going on with me and I always enjoyed visiting with her. There wont be a day that I wont think about her after lunch at the sink. Anita Dockendorf Franzen
Just recently, I learned of Ms. Swehlas death. I am very sorry. Ms. Swehla was my grade school teacher; I have very fond memories of her as my teacher. I have not lived in New Hampton since I graduated from high school, but ran into to her at McDonalds a couple of years ago. Now I am 61-she knew me. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna was a very special friend of both my Mother, Mila Mae Meyer and myself at the Senior Center. Just spent time with her while home visiting Mother in Sept.Oct. 09. Will greatly miss her, and will keep the family in our continued prayers. Our deepest sympathy.