"My condolences to the family. "
In loving memory of
Donna Mae DeMoss
April 4, 1938 - February 17, 2017
Donna M. DeMoss, 78, of Monmouth, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2017, at Unity Point Health Finley Hospital in Dubuque after a long and courageous battle with ill health. When her family rallied around her in the hospital bed there was standing room only. As a testament to the outpouring of love the family had for Donna they managed to fit over 30 people in her hospital room to say a prayer.
A celebration of Donna's life will be held at 1:30 P.M., Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. A memorial visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at the Hickory Grove Cemetery, rural Monmouth, Iowa.
Donna Mae was born on April 4, 1938 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Gary and Alice (Howard) Liston. Her dad died at an early age and her mom later remarried Frank Risden who adopted Donna and her siblings. She was educated in Maquoketa Schools and later earned her Certified Home Health Certificate. She married Joseph Franklin DeMoss on January 21, 1954 in Iowa City, Iowa. He preceded her in death on February 13, 2009.
Donna was a homemaker and mother who farmed with her husband for many years. She had also worked at Clinton Engines in Maquoketa for six years and as a Home Health Aide for over 20 years.
Donna enjoyed watching her birds, playing Euchre, "Ladies Day" Mondays, Four Wheeling in the timber, going "up north" to the casinos, and hunting mushrooms and ginseng. She especially loved spending time with her family and friends. No one was a stranger at Donna's house and she treated everyone who visited like family.
Those left to honor Donna's memory include her children, Donald (Sylvia) DeMoss of Baldwin, IA, Doug (Pam) DeMoss of Monmouth, IA, Brenda (Tim) Groves of Baldwin, IA, and Steve (Susie) DeMoss of Maquoketa, IA; a daughter-in-law Kim DeMoss of Dubuque, IA; 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; brothers Gerald (Kaye) Risden of Gilbert, IA, and Vincent (Sharon) Risden of North Liberty, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; and 3 granddogs, Molly, Bella and Herkie. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Annabell, Martha, Barbara and Mary, her husband Joseph, infant daughters Cindy Lou and Sandy Sue, and a son Thomas F. DeMoss on September 5, 2016.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Donna M. DeMoss memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"To the DeMoss family My thoughts and prayers and with you on the loss of your mother. "
"It was my priviledge to have worked with Donna for many years in Home Health. She was a caring and joyful person. I remember fondly sharing lunch on Driscoll's Island in Sabula. Donna, I miss your laugh. Sarah Hobbs"
"MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO DONNA'S FAMILY SHE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY "
"My deepest sympathy to Donna's family. It was always a pleasure visiting with her. Cherish the Love shared and the Memories made for these keep our Loved ones with us forever in our hearts. "
"I loved watching the beautiful video tribute for Donna. What a wonderful and lasting legacy she leaves of her devotion to family and friends. Our families were close in the early days of childhood and I have many happy memories of time spent together at each other's homes. The "big city" was a treat for me and Donna enjoyed riding horses with us and all the fun things to do on a farm. Our families reconnected several years ago and we treasure our renewed friendship with Donna and getting to know her wonderful family. She will always have my deepest love and respect and I consider us to be "forever friends". Sincere sympathy to you, dear family members, from Janice (Thiessen) Sampson and all the Thiessen family. "
"Brenda & family, So sorry for your loss. Thoughts & prayers are with you."
"to the DEmoss families. I knew your mom as avery young woman. our families hold many memories of fun we use to have. Knew your mom, aunt barbara and your aunt annabelle clark. they were all lovely and gracious ladies. sorry to hear of your loss and remember she will always livbe in your memories and in your heart. God Bless All"
"Thinking of you all during this time. Hugs and prayers. "
"I will forever remember Donna, she was the most fantastic lady, there ever was. She was Compassionate, a hard worker who loved what she did. We worked with I and my companion, for about three years, on different issues. Forever friends Always Donna. RIP
Love Tanya Heath Duhme"
"Sorry to hear of Donna's passing. She was a very caring and loving person."
"DeMoss Family, So sorry to hear of your loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"I am so sorry for your loss. My God give you strength in this period of greive. "
"Brenda and family those we lose live on in our hearts and minds. May your memories of your wonderful mom remain and live on and on."
"Sincere condolences from the Whitmarsh family. We had alot of fond memories thru out the years with your mom. Our thoughts and prayers be with you all.. "
"Our sympathy to the Bickfords, the Houston's, and to all of Donna's family."
"Doug and Pam, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. "
"Very thoughtful and wonderful lady! She will be forever missed. My condolences to the DeMoss family."
"So sorry for your loss, what a wonderful lady. Donna and Joe leave a lot of great memories for all their many families and friends. My deepest sympathy to their wonderful family. May they rest in peace. Mavis J. Kaczinski"
"May Donna rest in peace and may all of Donnas family and friends have Gods arms of comfort God bless you all."
"Steve, Brenda, Doug & Donnie, all the family so sorry about the passing of your Mom. The love she gave lives on. She was such a great lady. I loved her laugh and how much fun we shared for a lot of years. Love you guys. God bless."
"Very sorry for the loss of a very speacial women! Donna touched my life at a very young age! My brother and I spent the summer on the farm. Even though she already had 5 children of her own she made us feel just like we belonged! I will always have a speacial memory in my ??of her! I loved her dearly! We always enjoyed visiting with her when she came to Moms! You could feel her kindness! Love Mitzi's as she called me!"
"I have so many fond memories of Aunt Donna. Most include her dancing and laughing with my mom. She was so good to her nieces and nephews;we always got excited when she visited. She was very devoted to my mother and often came to see mom while mom was hospitalized. She raised great kids, worked hard and knew how to love and laugh. I will miss her very much."
"Always had a great time hanging out with the family. Donna was always such a happy person "
"I can remember staying at Junior and Donna's house in town because I wanted to play instead of shopping! I remember the day of the twins funeral with them together in that little white coffin! One of the worst days for the family and was so sad! Donna managed to overcome that with her husband's and the family's help! She was an incredible woman with a love for life and family! We will miss her! She was so sad with Aunt Lucy's passing because they always had a connection as did their husbands! I loved visiting with her and knew how she cared for her people in home health! You have my deepest sympathy and prayers for healing. You as a family have had so much but hang together to comfort each other! They have no illness, no pain and are seeing all their family that had gone before! Blessings..."
"I'm sorry for your loss. Donna was a very nice lady "
"We always had fun around our Aunt's and Uncles and cousins! So many Wonderful Memories. Such an ornery group but we had lots of fun, food and laughter! Love you all! ! "