Donna Struchen

Donna Struchen, age 64, of Early, Iowa passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2003 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, with Father Patrick O’Kane officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Early.

Friends may call at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, where the family will be present. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City is in charge of the arrangements.

Donna Maria Cecconi was born on December 28, 1938 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Don and Susie (Bailey) Cecconi. As a child she lived with her parents at their home in Ottumwa, attending school there through her high school graduation with the Class of 1957. Donna went on to college—two years at Ottumwa Heights and two years at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa—graduating with a degree in Business Education in 1961. She taught business education and English at Stockport, Rembrandt and Sacred Heart (Early).

On June 12, 1965, Donna and Frank Struchen were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa. This union was blessed with three children. Donna was a devoted wife and loving mother. She spent her life making a warm and comfortable home for her family, who she cherished and with whom she loved to spend time. Her grandchildren brought her great joy and she delighted in every moment she spent with them.

Donna’s faith was a vital and important part of her life. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish in Early, where she was the Guild chairperson, teacher and coordinator of the CCD program.

Cooking, sewing and scrapbooking were favorite past times of Donna’s, as were genealogy and working crossword puzzles.

Her husband and children recall how Donna’s wonderful sense of humor made good times even happier and helped everyone to better cope with life’s more difficult moments. She was loved by her family and will be missed daily.

Survivors include her husband, Frank; her son Tom Struchen of Chapel Hill, NC; her daughters: Margaret Struchen of Houston, TX and Theresa and husband Justin Melohn of Washington, IA; grandchildren Michael and Andrew Melohn; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Donna in death were her parents, Don and Susie Cecconi, her brothers John and Tony Cecconi and her sister-in-law Dawn Cecconi.