Donna Mae (Boyenga) Menning, 86, of Hampton, Iowa passed away on March 11, 2021 surrounded by family and friends through her last moment. She spent her last days in Hospice at Franklin General Hospital. It was just six weeks after her cancer diagnosis she was called home by our Lord to his loving embrace.
Donna was born May 5, 1934 in Geneva, Iowa to John and Alberta (Rozevink) Boyenga. She was the youngest of their seven children. Donna graduated from Hampton High School and soon after was married to Harold Menning on July 29, 1952. They were blessed with two sons. Donna worked at Franklin REC before spending the main portion of her career as the Office Manager at Franklin Medical Center Clinic. After retirement she enjoyed working part-time at Wal-Mart as she loved being around people and getting to know everyone. Most who met her would describe her as one of the kindest most caring souls they knew.
Family was of utmost importance to Donna. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She spent all the years of their youth seeing at least one of them almost daily. She never missed a game, concert, play, or any important event in their lives. The traditions and love she left with them will be cherished and passed to next generations as a wonderful blessing. Donna was also the proud great-grandmother to two beautiful girls that made her as happy as could be. Her other family members were also central in her life as most of her siblings and their families lived nearby. The tragedy of losing their mother when Donna was very young created a greater bond between Donna and her siblings. They were integral in her life and shared a deep connection continuing to be very present in each other’s families. They would all say Donna was such a thoughtful caring sister who will be so deeply missed. She excelled at her role as Aunt Donna with such love and acceptance that she was like a second mother to many nieces and nephews.
Donna believed in being very active in her community and her lifelong home of Hampton. She was involved in many volunteer organizations throughout the years. She was active in Mother’s Club when her children were young and always active in the Methodist Church. She loved spending time in her Red Hats Club and Beeds Mill Questers along with numerous friend groups, fitness groups, and coffee hours.
Donna’s friends were an important focus in her life. She had so many people who were proud to call her their friend and felt blessed to know her genuinely kind and fun-loving heart. She loved to go hunting for antiques at shows and shops in Iowa and later traveling with her special friend to shows all over the US. She inspired many people to find history and genealogy as their passions also by seeing and hearing her talk about her antique collections and knowledge.
Donna is survived by her sons Kevin Menning of Hendersen, Nevada (fiancée Evangeline Pascua), and Kreg (Angela) Menning of Ankeny, Iowa; her grandchildren Melissa (Mitchell) Dziuk of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Nic Menning of Indianola, Iowa (significant other Cherish Wills), Ryan Menning of Coulter, Iowa, Drew Menning of Ankeny, Iowa and Brenna (Austin) Poock of Ankeny, Iowa; and her great grandchildren Alexandra Dziuk and Charlotte Dziuk. She is also survived by her sisters Alice (the late Ray) Wille of Hampton, Iowa and Evelyn (Bob) McLaren of Dysart, Iowa along with numerous nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Helen (the late Frank) Davenport, her brothers Earl (Lois) Boyenga, Robert (the late Lucille) Boyenga, and Howard Boyenga.
Funeral service and burial will be held at a future date under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home of Hampton.
