Funeral services for Donna Mae McDowell, 87, of Perry will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 21 at the First Christian Church in Perry. Social distancing as well as masks or face coverings are required.
Donna Mae McDowell, daughter of Joseph Little and Elgie Mae Cage Little, was born Oct. 1, 1932, in Perry, Iowa, and died March 26, 2020, at the Rowley Masonic Community in Perry, Iowa.
Donna lived in Perry her whole life and graduated from Perry High School in 1950.
She married the love of her life, Leon Samuel McDowell, on May 6, 1951, at the First Christian Church. The couple was blessed with a daughter, DiAnn, and a son, Danny Joe.
Donna worked for the Perry schools for 33 years as a secretary.
After retirement she and Leon worked for Hastings Funeral Home.
Donna was always someone you could talk to about anything, and she genuinely cared about others.
Together, Donna and Leon enjoyed traveling and fishing. As their children lived out of state, they would drive those many miles to visit.
They were members of a Pinochle Club, and they enjoyed their trips to the casino.
Donna was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Dallas County Area Retired School Personnel Association and the First Christian Church, where she served as an Elder and C.W.F.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 65 years, Leon Samuel McDowell (2016); granddaughter, Erica Martin (2009); and brothers, Harold Little and Duane Little.
Donna will be dearly missed but never forgotten. She is survived by her daughter, DiAnn Martin of Aberdeen, N.C., and son, Danny Joe McDowell, and his wife, Kim, of Sahuarita, Arizona; five grandchildren, Kari Martin, Ashley Edwards, Emma McDowell, Austin McDowell and his wife, Chantel, and Benjamin McDowell; six great-grandchildren, Skyler Houser, Mason Houser, Raelyn Edwards, Keaton McDowell, Huxley McDowell and Ayden McDowell; one great-great-granddaughter, Laylynn Mae Williams; sister-in-law, Virginia Wernli, and her husband, Bernie, of Newton; sister-in-law, Mary Jane McDowell; beloved nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many, many friends.
Hastings Funeral Home in Perry is in charge of arrangements.
