Donna Clothier

Donna R. Clothier, 87, formerly of Harlan, Iowa passed away in her sleep on Monday, August 15, 2022, in her assisted living apartment at Grand Living by Bridgewater in Coralville, Iowa.

Born July, 9, 1935 to Ben D. and Mildred E. (Wentzel) Joens in Manning, Iowa, she graduated from Manning High School, and during her school years, worked in her family's insurance and real estate business. She then received nurses training and became a Registered Nurse at Immanuel Lutheran School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska. Throughout her nursing career, she served as a general, surgical and ER nurse at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, the University of Northern Iowa Student Health Service in Cedar Falls, Michael Reese Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and in Harlan, Iowa with the clinical practice of Doctors Wing-Tai Fung and L.V. Larson, and at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan.

A woman of many talents, she was a writer, reporter and photographer for the Houston County News in La Crescent, Minnesota in the 1960's and early 70's, as well as a tax preparer and general bookkeeper for the accounting practice of Retzlaff and Worchel in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

In the 1980's, she retired from active nursing to review long-term care and residential mental health facilities first for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and later for the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care. In that capacity, she fought fiercely for the rights of residents and patients, assuring both quality and appropriateness of care. She gave frequent presentations to staff sharing what she'd learned as an RN in some of the Midwest's most critical facilities.

She was active in local, state and national politics, serving as Chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party in Harlan, on selection committees for local and state judgeships, she served as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee of Iowa, and campaigned actively for Senator Tom Harkin, also serving on his Nurse Advisory Committee, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and President Joe Biden.

She was active in the Harlan community as well, and an enthusiastic Band and Vocal Parent, supporting Harlan Community Schools' music programs throughout her children's middle and high school years. She organized fundraisers and chaperoned trips to Orlando, Florida, Kansas City, Missouri and the inaugural Western Iowa Wind Ensemble tour of Europe.

Beloved mother, devoted wife and formidable friend, Donna was preceded in death by her husband Melvin in 2021. She leaves behind two children, Jeff Clothier of Des Moines and Jennifer Lassner of Iowa City, their spouses Jill Clothier and Jason Lassner; four grandchildren, Julia, Brody and Tyler Lassner, of Iowa City, and Jessica Burt, of Des Moines; and a brother Roger Joens of Alabama.

Funeral Service on Saturday, August 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa

Reverend Jonathan Conner, Officiation

Recorded Music "How Great Thou Art" and "You'll Never Walk Alone"

Casket Bearers are Jeff Clothier, Jason Lassner, Brody Lassner, Tyler Lassner, Lavon Christensen and Dave Gaul

Interment at the Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa