"Sending you and your family our heartfelt sympathy. With each new day may Almighty God provide you will comfort (Ps.34:18) and strength as you try to cope with the loss of Mrs. Hellman. May the memories you hold in your heart also help in bringing you peace."
In loving memory of
Donna Hellman
August 16, 2009
Interment: St. John's Catholic Cemetery ~ Bancroft, Iowa
Donna Jean Josephine Hellman was born December 30, 1938, the second of ten children of Herman and Laura (Lappe) Kahler. She attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School graduating in 1956. Donna worked in a grocery store and on the family farm.
On August 28, 1958, Donna married Dennis Hellman at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bancroft. They built a home in rural Burt and began their married life by farming, milking cows, and feeding cattle and hogs. They soon started their family raising three sons and two daughters.
Donna loved spending time with her children and her grandchildren and she looked forward to get togethers with her relatives. Donna enjoyed hand quilting, dancing at many ballrooms in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, reading and doing puzzles. She and Denny went on many bus trips throughout the U.S., especially enjoying the trips to Branson and going to Daniel O'Donnell concerts. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church being active in the Ladies Circle and in the Choir, a member of the Ladies Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Kitchen Klatter Band in Bancroft.
Donna Jean Hellman died Sunday, August 16, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota following a brave battle with cancer. She was 70 years old.
Left to cherish Donna's memory is her husband of fifty years, Dennis of rural Burt, five children, Steve Hellman and his wife Susie (McConnell) of Bancroft, Jim Hellman and his wife Robin (Garvick) of Elmore, MN, Barb Nemmers and her husband Craig of Armstrong, Lisa Henriksen and her husband Philip of Ringsted, and David Hellman of Des Moines; and her 10 grandchildren, Jennifer, Jason, Jessica, Amy and Derek Nemmers, Seth Hellman, Ross and Allison Hellman, and Natalie and Rachel Henriksen. She is also survived by eight brothers and sisters, Albert Kahler and his wife Mary of Titonka, Tony Kahler and his wife Lael of Bancroft, Richard Kahler and his wife Delores of Britt, Barbara Ruzicka and her husband Rich of Belleville, IL, Allen Kahler and his wife Deb of Swea City, Betty Hansen and her husband Carl of Blue Earth, MN, Ken Kahler and his wife Elaine of Bancroft, and John Kahler and his wife Pam of Bancroft; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister Shirley; a sister-in-law, Sister Irene Hellman; and a brother-in-law, Arthur Hellman.
Tributes
"Dennis and family, With heartfelt sympathy to you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Bob and Diane(Kahler) Loterbour"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. God bless you."
"What a beautiful mass and Phil and Glen did wonderful!!!!"
"My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May you find comfort in knowing your mother is with God. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Tami"
"I am so sorry to hear of your loved one passing. Although we did have fun on the trip to St. Mary's. She always had a smile on her face. This is from: The Bancroft Ambulance."
"Dave Hellman and family, May there be comfort in knowing friends are here for you and they share in your sorrow. You have our deepest sympathy. Acme Printing Prepress Department"
"Denny, Steve, Jim, Barb,Lisa and Dave and families, I am thinking of all of you during this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You"
"Denny and Family, Donna was a wonderful person. She always so easy to talk to. I know that she really going to be missed!!! You all have my deepest sympathy!!! God Bless you all!!! Lisa"
"I am sure going to miss my Aunt Donna - every time I would see her she always had a smile on her face no matter how she felt. When we talked she always asked how mom was doing and how the triplets were doing. The Menke's extend their sympathy to Uncle Dennis and the family and extended family of Aunt Donna - she was truly a lady of romance (books) and dancing - may she always be dancing in your hearts forever.......... Missing you - say HI to my DAD"
"Mrs. Hellman was a lovely person who I was happy to meet and spend time with. She enjoyed her family, her home and had a talent for making people feel welcome and at ease. My sympathy to Mr. Hellman, David and the rest of the family. "