Hentges, Donna (Johnson) 1932-2018

HENTGES, JOHNSON, MILLER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/30/2020 at 08:35:54

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 3, 2018

Donna J. Hentges, 85, of Le Mars, died Friday, March 9, 2018, at Accura Health Care of Spirit Lake.

Donna Jeane Hentges was born on Oct. 9, 1932, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the daughter of Leonard B. and Irene “Peg” (Miller) Johnson. She graduated from Eagle Grove (Iowa) High School in 1950 and enrolled in St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City. After graduating from nursing school in 1953, Donna took a position as a surgical nurse.

On Aug. 28, 1954, Donna and John “Jack” Hentges were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. They lived in Le Mars and started their family. Along with caring for her children, Donna worked as a private duty nurse.

In later years, Donna completed one of the first EMT classes in Iowa. She served for many years on the Le Mars Ambulance Service. Donna also worked as a nurse at the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Donna was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars and was an active volunteer, and she supported her children’s activities at Gehlen Catholic Schools. She also served on the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the Le Mars Elks Club Ladies’ Auxiliary.

Donna helped found the Le Mars Community Theatre and assisted with production duties, directed plays and served on the board.

Grateful to have shared her life are her children, Theresa “Terri” Ashmore and her husband, Paul of St. Paul, Minnesota, Nicholas “Nick” Hentges and his wife, Mary (Erdmann) of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and James “Jim” Hentges and his wife, Jacque (Mankle) of Okoboji; grandchildren, John, David and Molly Hentges of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Autumn Mankle and Adam Eckard of Spirit Lake; great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Aspen Eckard; and a sister-in-law, Ardys Askelson and her husband, Arlie of Indian Hills, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack on March 25, 1998; and a brother, Leonard Johnson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday April 6, at All Saints Catholic Parish - St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Bruce Lawler will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 5, at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a scriptural prayer service at 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Friday.

Memorials may be directed to the Le Mars Community Theatre, 105 First St. N.E.; Le Mars, Iowa 51031.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauer-johnsonfh.com.