Loretta V. Brennan Donovan 1920-2007

DONOVAN, BRENNAN, FLEMING, ELBERT, ECKERD, MCAULEY, ADUDDELL, HAMILTON, MOSES, KLIEGEL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/17/2011 at 20:35:19

ESTHERVILLE -
Loretta V. Brennan, the daughter of James and Mary (Fleming) Brennan, was born December 1, 1921, in Ruthven, Iowa. She passed away Sunday, December 16, 2007, at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa, at the age of 86.

She received her education in the Ruthven schools. After graduation from high school, Loretta attended St. Joseph's College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa where she graduated as a registered nurse.

On July 18, 1946, Loretta was united in marriage to Edwin J. Donovan at St. Albert The Great Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After their marriage the couple returned to the Estherville area and they owned and operated a car dealership in Gruver, Iowa, Armstrong, Iowa and also in Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1953, Ed purchased his father's interest in Donovan Motors and they operated the dealership until their retirement. Loretta also pursued her degree in nursing and was employed as a registered nurse in Sioux City, Minneapolis, Spirit Lake and Estherville. Ed died December 31, 1998.

Loretta was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Catholic Daughter's of America; Altar and Rosary Society, Red Hat Ladies and VFW Post 3388 Auxiliary.

Left to cherish Loretta's memory are three daughters, Mary Kay Donovan of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Nanci Donovan of Okoboji, Iowa; Maureen Elbert and her husband, Dan of Whittemore, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Patsy Donovan of Spirit Lake; grandchildren, Bryna Eckerd and her husband, Kevin, Erin Donovan, Shauna Donovan, Mike Donovan, Sheehan McAuley, Brandon McAuley, Colin Aduddell, Danielle Elbert, Kelly Elbert, Edmund Elbert, Garrett Elbert, Patrick Elbert, great-granddaughter, Alannah; sister-in-law, Maxine Hamilton; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Loretta in death were her husband; son Patrick James Donovan who died April 9, 2004; her parents; sisters, Marian Moses, Bernadette Kliegel and brothers, Jay, Adrian, Joe, Mike and Vince Brennan.

INTERMENT
St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Estherville

(Online obituary)