Donna Iris Smith Greimann May 10, 1922 – October 5, 2009

Donna Iris Smith, daughter of Samuel Hayden and Naomi Meriam (Nickeson) Smith, was born May 10, 1922 at Chugwater, Wyoming. Donna’s mother died in 1929 when she was seven years old and her aunt, Iva Agnes Smith Barnhill, came into the home and helped raise her. The family lived in Wyoming, Missouri and Iowa, settling in Kellerton where Donna graduated high school in 1941.

On November 25, 1941, Donna was united in marriage to Roe Milan Greimann in Maryville, Missouri. They were blessed with four daughters. Donna and Roe farmed in southwest Iowa for many years before moving to Mount Ayr. Donna was a housewife and she was also the head cook at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr for several years. Donna was a member of the Undenominational Christian Church. She loved to garden, read and work crossword puzzles. She loved and supported her daughters and grandchildren. In these last years, a dog named Rusty stole her heart and may have become her fifth child. In 2006 Donna moved to Creston and on October 5, 2009 Donna died at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston after a short illness.

She was preceded in death by her mother; father; aunt; husband, Roe, on June 13, 2002; a granddaughter, Janet Cathleen Rankin; great-grandson, Dustin Michael Rankin, and her brother, Stanley Eugene Smith.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Judith Ann Matheny and husband Len of Lenox, Iowa, Linda Joy Olsen and Cheri Lynn Hoke, both of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Sandra Lee Little and husband Bill of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren, Debra Ann (Gary Lee) Nelson, CheriAnn Renae (Joel Patrick) Blacketer, Rodney Jay Liles, Richard Lee (Nicole) Liles, Rachel Leigh Ballard, Randy Linn (Kimberly) Banks, Shawn Douglas Olsen and Shelly Lynn (Christopher) Uncapher; 16 great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Prudden of Creston, Iowa and other relatives and friends.  

Services were held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on  Thursday, October 8, 2009, with Jeff Thayer officiating. Musicians were Laura Watkin and Henry and Elizabeth Weeda.

Casket bearers included Rodney Jay Liles, Randy Linn Banks, Shawn Douglas Olsen, Joel Patrick Blacketer, Gage Patrick Blacketer, Richard Lee Liles and Steve Kralik.

Donna was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.