Davis, Dana M. (1924-2008)
DAVIS, DONOVAN, DUFFEK, HAIGH, SCHWALEN, MCCABE
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/10/2010 at 22:56:55
Dana M. Davis
(August 25, 1924 - February 15, 2008)FOREST CITY - Dana M. Davis, age 83 of Forest City, died Friday, February 15, 2008 at her home in Forest City.
Dana M. Davis was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1924, the daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Duffek) Donovan. She received her education in Chicago, graduating from high school at the age of 16. She attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, studying in the College of Pharmacy. When World War II broke out, she left school and worked for Eli Lilly & Company to support the war effort preparing drugs for the soldiers.
She met Neal Davis while attending Purdue and on February 13, 1943, they were married. Neal received his degree in Civil Engineering and started his career. The family made their home in Ottumwa, Iowa for a time before coming to Forest City in 1957 where Neal worked for Gjellefald Construction.
Dana was a stay at home mom until after her husband passed away in 1968 when she began working as a bookkeeper for Gjellefald Construction. When the company closed, she began working in the Purchasing Department at Winnebago Industries where she worked until her retirement many years later.
Dana was an involved member of her community and gave her time freely. She served on the Oakland Cemetery Board and the Forest City Library Board. She was a gifted artist and enjoyed painting backdrops for theater productions and store windows. She was in several bridge clubs over the years and had a great time with her "Birthday Club" group of friends. She loved to decorate and her home was proof of her talent and was featured in Forest City’s Tour of Homes in 1997. She was a voracious reader and an exceptional cook – "to love you was to feed you" and she did it wonderfully. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Forest City.
Dana is survived by her children and their spouses: Madonna (Jim) Haigh of Plano, TX; Kathe (David) Schwalen of Minneapolis, MN; Dan (Sheila) Davis of Forest City, IA; Pat (Tammy) Davis of Austin, TX; Mark (Laurie) Davis of Algona, IA; 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a sister, Margaret McCabe of Lafayette, IN.
Dana was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Neal and a granddaughter, Nikki Davis.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the Forest City Public Library at 115 East L Street Forest City IA 50436
The Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. Burial will be at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday, February 19th at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service at the church.
Copyright © 2008, Petersen Lund Funeral Home
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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