Donna Sietmann

Donna Sietmann, age 88, of Laurel, Iowa, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 26, 2024 at the Willows of Marshalltown.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 31 at Laurel Community Church. She will be laid to rest in the Graceland Cemetery next to her beloved Richard. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Donna came into this world on August 15, 1935 in Hawarden, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond and Opal (Green) Waterman. Her dad was employed by the highway department, so many communities became home over her younger years. He helped build Highway #14 and I-80 and during that time, the Laurel area became home. There, she met a handsome young man by the name of Richard Sietmann.

On June 28, 1951, the couple was united in marriage at the Laurel EUB Church. Donna never came from a farm family, but she took the role of farmwife to heart and excelled in every aspect of it. She worked alongside Richard in home and field and together they raised three wonderful children. Her love of the Lord was her first priority in life and sharing that love with family and friends was important.

Donna, known by “Gramma Donna” to many, not just her grandkids, was always busy in the kitchen. Her food was the best as it was made with love that only she could add. She would always host every holiday or special occasion, serving a feast. Meals of homemade rolls, creamed peas and Sietmann punch were made complete with not one, but everyone’s favorite pie. Donna was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church and a great supporter of the community. Bake sales always encouraged her gift of custard pies and a day bowling, golfing or watching the Iowa State Cyclones was always good. Richard and Donna enjoyed traveling and many years in Florida wintering.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Danny (Patty) Sietmann of Birch Run, MI, Sheryl (Tim) Larson of Marshalltown and Kathy Rosedale (Bea Klauenberg) of Marshalltown; grandchildren: Raejean, Brett, Hayley, Shannon, Carrah and Kati as well as many precious great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her sisters: Bette Wilson of Nevada, Sharon Schnathorst of Laurel and Patty DeGraw of Beacon Falls, CT; sister-in-law Joyce Paul of Grinnell and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In death, Donna rejoined her beloved husband, Richard, who passed in 2014, her parents, and sister Shirley Quinn.