Donna Mae Larson, 95, of Wadena, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the Elkader Care Center. She was born July 23, 1924, in Oelwein, Iowa to Joseph (J.E.) and Gladys (Gile) O’Brien. Donna was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.
She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Oelwein, with the Class of 1941.
On February 3, 1945, Donna was united in marriage to Herman Charles Larson, Jr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. The couple farmed near Volga and Wadena, where she enjoyed being a farm wife and homemaker. Two children were born to this union. They retired to Wadena in 1984. Throughout the years, Donna was very active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga.
She loved people and community service. She loved dancing – that is where she met her husband. Baking angel food cakes and sugar cookies were at the top of her favorite things to do list. She was a very positive, upbeat, uplifting person with a very good sense of humor.
Survivors include her children, Kay (Torry) Groves of Livingston, WI and Brian (Judy) Larson of Danville, IL; grandchildren, Troy (Amy) Hagen, Joe (Marcie) Larson, Tim (Ming) Larson, Michael (Jamie) Larson, Emily (Scott Woodruff) Braaten, Sarah Larson, Matthew Larson, Nicolas Larson; six great-grandchildren and special friend, Harry Hubbard.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman Jr. on February 20, 1990; grandson, Samuel Larson; great-granddaughter, Olivia Larson; sisters, Frances Magee, Vera Harlan, Leota Kane, Gladys Grummett and brother, Joseph O’Brien.
Visitation: 8:30 until 9:20 AM, Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga, Iowa.
Mass of Resurrection: 9:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga, Iowa with Rev. John Haugen as Celebrant
Interment: Will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Wadena, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader, Iowa is assisting the family.