Ella D. Donovan 1911 - 2009

DONOVAN, DIK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/25/2020 at 13:15:42

Sioux City Journal
12 April 2009

SIOUX CITY -- Ella D. Donovan, 97, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at Countryside Nursing Home.

Abiding by the families' wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at a later date. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.

Ella Donovan, the former Ella Dik, was born Sept. 9, 1911, in Ponca, Neb. She moved with her parents to Sioux City when she was 3 years old. She received her education in the Sioux City Public Schools and National Business College.

She married Charles E. Donovan on July 29, 1929. She worked as a supervisor instructor for the 817th Army Air Corps during World War II. She also was a Civil Defense volunteer. She worked conventions for the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce for 17 years.

She was active in many organizations and civic affairs. She held several offices in the Catholic Daughters of America, having received the Catholic Daughter of the Year in 1970. She was safety chairman on the PTA Council, establishing the Block Parent Program in the Sioux City schools in 1970. She worked with city and national Safety Council and Safest Route to School and Bicycle Safety programs.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Altar Society, Catholic Women's League, Mount Carmel Auxiliary, Gospel Mission Auxiliary and American Association of Retired Persons. She was a member of the Board of Governors of the Girls of '68. She was very active in the scouting programs.

In 1952, she was one of the first women members of the Sioux City Pistol Club, receiving a Marksman Award from the National Rifle Association. She received a Distinguished Service Scroll from the Iowa Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1971.

She is survived by three sons, Dennis and Michael (Cheri), all of Sioux City, and Patrick (Doni) of Baie De Urfe, Quebec; a daughter, Joan (Charles) Ashmore of Arlington, Wis.; 16 grandchildren and their families; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Dik of Sioux City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; three sisters, Margaret, Helen and Stella; and three brothers, Stan, Laddie and Tony.