Donna Jean (Levene) Farber

FARBER, LEVENE, BECK, NORTZ, ACKERMAN

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 4/5/2012 at 11:41:39

Donna Jean (Levene) Farber, 68, of Iowa City, died suddenly on Monday, April 2, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Donna was born on Nov. 9, 1943, in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of Arthur and Maxine (Beck) Levene. Graduating from Galesburg High School, she moved to Chicago to study at Patricia Stevens College to become a flight attendant, until she discovered she wasn’t fond of flying. She also trained for and worked in office support positions in Chicago before meeting and marrying Ronald Farber there on Feb. 21, 1966, then moving to Iowa City.

She was an abstractor for Hawkeye Title & Settlement Company in Iowa City.

Donna was an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), being named Woman of the Year in 1983. She also was a member of sorority Beta Sigma Phi International and the most loyal Hawkeye fan. As a long-time member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Donna served many years with the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) as co-chairwoman of the Maya Winther Circle and on numerous church committees, taking a crucial leadership role in the elevator project. Donna’s friendship was her greatest strength, which she offered to one and all. She often took new church members under her wing and provided kindness and support whenever and wherever she was needed.

Donna is survived by her husband of 46 years, Ronald Farber of Iowa City; daughter Beth Farber of Columbia, Mo.; son and daughter-in-law David and Emily Farber of Iowa City and their children, Benjamin, Abraham, Elsa and Isaac; brother and sister-in-law David and Lore Levene of Mount Prospect, Ill.; nephew Erik (Julie) Levene and their children, Sarah, Jack and James Patrick; niece Dana (Jamie) Levene-Nortz; son-in-law Anthony (Cindy) Ackerman of Marion; and grandson Tyler Ackerman, the son of Donna’s daughter Rebecca Ackerman, who preceded her in death, as did her parents. Donna had many loving cousins as well.