Donna Lee (Hartke) Smith

Donna Lee Smith, 62, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away after a courageous five year battle with cancer with her husband by her side, on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.  She was born on September 26, 1953, in Manchester, the daughter of Donald and Dorothy (Bowers) Hartke.  Donna was a graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg High School with the class of 1971.  She attended Upper Iowa University and graduated with a degree in education and a minor in math after three and a half years.  Donna then worked for the Postville School System for a year and a half as a teacher’s associate.

On June 26, 1976, Donna was united in marriage to Alfred L. Smith at Zion United Methodist Church in rural Colesburg.  Two children were born to this union. After her children started school, Donna went back to work.  For the past 21 years she has worked as a social worker for the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging in Manchester. 

Donna was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church.  She was a Stephen Minister, UMW, and Hope Circle member, as well as the chair of the memorial committee.  She enjoyed butterflies and playing cards. Donna’s family was her greatest joy. 

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Alfred Smith of Edgewood; her two children, Heather (Michael) Dommer of Cedar Rapids and Ryan (Nicole) Smith of Johnston; three grandchildren, Carson and Grace Dommer and Riley Smith; and her mother, Dorothy Hartke of Colesburg.

Donna was preceded in death by her father, Donald Hartke; and Warren and Irene Smith, her mother- and father-in-law.

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