Donna Joyce Wert (Davis)

Donna Joyce Wert, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Girl Scout, and child

of God, was born in Ottumwa, IA on December 25, 1929. She died peacefully on May

22, 2024 at The Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale, MN at the age of 94.

Donna was the first girl to be born to Carroll and Cecil Davis after 3 boys. Her mother

was overjoyed to have a girl! She was raised in Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1947, after

graduating from Ottumwa High School, Donna attended Iowa State Teachers College

(now the University of Northern Iowa) and earned a teaching degree in physical

education. After graduation, Donna married Donald Dean Wert, a man whom she met

on a blind date. Her college roommate and his best friend introduced them. Donald

was in school at Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine and Donna helped financially

support them by teaching physical education at a junior high in Ames, IA and a school in

Dennison, IA. Once Donna started having her three children, she quit teaching and

focused on caring for the family. Girl Scouts became a big part of her life, first as a

leader for Jody's troop and then as a paid employee. Donna retired from Girl Scouts in

1994 at the age of 65. Education and learning were always a part of Donna's life and

she passed the love of being curious and learning on to her children.

Donna's husband, Donald, died in 1986 and she continued to live in Atwater, MN. In

1996, Donna moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa to be closer to friends and to have a new

adventure. She volunteered at Spirt Lake Methodist Church, Lakes Art Center, and the

Spirit Lake Community Garden. Donna enjoyed her little house and the community of

Spirit Lake. She always wanted to travel and had the opportunity to go to England,

Austria, Australia, and many areas of the United States. She often traveled with

Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) and particularly enjoyed the educational aspects of

those trips.

Donna is survived by her children Beth (Paul) Kreuter of Goshen, IN; Thomas Wert of

Mukilteo, WA; Jody (Eliot) Stadler of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Erich (Nicole) Kreuter

of Goshen, IN; Anna (Jeremy) Elion of Elkhart, IN; Budding and Jacob Stadler of St. Paul,

MN; and great grandchildren Alexus and Jackson Elion, and Caleb, Ellie, and Nolan

Kreuter. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Donald Wert; her parents Carroll