Donna June (Tryon) Stevens, age 76, of West Des Moines, IA, and formerly of Glidden, IA, gained her angel wings on November 12, 2022 while surrounded by Bruce and their children. She will live on in the hearts of family and friends forever.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery in Glidden with Dr. Beth Frankenstein officiating. A reception and “time to Nosh” will follow at the Lincoln Club in Glidden from 2 – 4 PM to celebrate Donna’s life and share memories.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden and online condolences may be left for Donna’s family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
In lieu of flowers, Donna’s wish was for people to do “random acts of kindness” for others.
Donna was born on December 22, 1945 in Carroll, Iowa. She was the seventh child of Clarence and Dorothy (Densmore) Tryon. Donna grew up with one “twin” sister (born nearly 10 years later) and eight fun-loving brothers. Together, they created one large group of constant laughter and activities. Donna loved getting together with all of their families while enjoying Hearts tournaments, Spoons wars, delicious food, and sharing stories.
Growing up, Donna loved her high school, the Glidden Wildcats and was also a cheerleader during college at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. She enjoyed playing the saxophone, piano and organ, which she shared in church during her adulthood. On November 25, 1965, she married her loving husband, Bruce Stevens. Soon after, she traveled overseas while Bruce served in the U.S. Army. They enjoyed Germany and traveling throughout Europe for three years. Donna later completed her education degree and served as a teacher at Wall Lake View Auburn for 20 years where she made a positive, long-lasting impact on hundreds of students and co-workers. Donna was also an amazing coach’s wife and fan for years in numerous sports. Evenings were spent watching the most beautiful sunsets over Blackhawk Lake. She was always such an incredible host ranging from large family Fourth of July celebrations to quaint Sunset Lane neighborhood nights on the deck. Bruce and Donna, just two-weeks shy of 57 years together, welcomed three children, nine grandchildren and all of their interests and friends with open arms.
Donna was the commander of the family and, according to Bruce, was always right. But her favorite role was being Grandma Donna and she was exceptional. She proudly supported and loved all nine of her grandchildren and they loved her right back. She became a cheerleader of all of her grandkids and their teammates and loved chatting with other parents and grandparents. Grandma Donna loved visiting, texting and facetiming with all of the grandkids whenever possible.
Donna and Bruce spent their retirement years establishing friendships in the sunshine of Mesa, AZ. Many fond memories were made with their friends golfing, shopping, and noshing during the red sunsets – which she made a tradition with her friends and family back in Iowa. Other frequent hobbies were checking Face Book and playing Words with Friends. Donna was quick to reply and sincerely enjoyed staying updated on what friends were doing. Meeting amazing friends at restaurants, sipping wine, watching HGTV and being an avid reader also filled her days. Donna enjoyed writing. In 2014, she published a memoir, “My First Nineteen Years.” There is a box of other works in progress her family will enjoy digging into.
Donna June is survived by her loving husband, Bruce. Her daughter Julie (Brad) Kaufman of Waukee, son Chad (Emily) of Norwalk, and daughter Sara (John) Lohrmann of West Union, SC. Cole, Camden, Cyler, Sofia, Sawyer, Jadon, Ella, Gia, and Talise are her adoring grandkids. Other survivors are sister Nancy (Warren) Watson in Elk Horn and brothers Dick in Nevada, Randy in Glidden and sisters-in-law Maxine, Sally, Janet, Sandy, Jan, Jerilyn and Dee (Jim) Ludwig, Aunt Shirley, plus tons and tons of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by son, Scott (a beloved stillborn), parents Clarence and Dorothy Tryon, brothers Ray, Bill, Dale, Gaylord, Larry, and Jerry and her father and mother-in-law, Merle and Jeanette Stevens.
