In loving memory of

Donna Kay Johnson
April 13, 1952 - November 13, 2020

Donna Kay Johnson, a native Fort Dodger passed away on November 13, 2020.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family.

At an early age, Donna showed her love for drawing, singing, dancing, playing piano and acting, a true force of creativity. While in high school, Donna played the part of Dolly Levy in the production of "Hello Dolly" launching her love for acting. Donna graduated from FDSH in 1970. Donna was a member of the Comedia Players and traveled with them to Leadville, Colorado as part of a Summer Troupe. Donna acted in many Hawkeye Community Theater productions over the course of her lifetime. Having such talent, Donna auditioned for The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and was accepted. In addition to her studies at the Academy, Donna joined a travel band (The Open Road) as lead vocalist and conga player, which performed up and down the East coast from Maine to Rhode Island. In the late 1970's Donna was hired as Musical Director for the Broadway show, "Beatlemania". In addition to hiring and rehearsing musicians for the pit orchestra, Donna conducted and accompanied the orchestra during performances. In 1980, Donna traveled to London, England to work as the Musical Director for the opening production of Beatlemania. While in England, Donna traveled to Sweden to meet with her maternal grandparents' cousins.

When Beatlmania closed, Donna left England and moved to Minneapolis. While in Minneapolis, Donna continued acting in local theater productions and also worked for Datacard Group. While at Datacard Group, Donna expanded her creative talents by being in charge of the Video production department. Donna retired from Datacard group in 2010.

In the late 1980's Donna became involved with a group of doctors and dentists who traveled each year to Honduras providing free medical and dental treatments for Hondurans who were in need. This organization was called "Mission of Mercy". Making yearly trips to Honduras, Donna fell in love with the culture and the people. After long hours working with the doctors, Donna would sing and play her keyboard for the doctors, nurses and Honduran community providing the evening entertainment.

She moved back to Fort Dodge in 2016 with her beautiful dog Rosa to be closer to her family.

Donna Kay Johnson is the daughter of Gladys Johnson Meier (Friendship Haven) and Richard "Dick" Johnson (Great Falls, MT.). Donna is survived by her sisters, Joan Johnson Drewes (New York) and Martha Johnson McColley Kersbergen (Fort Dodge, IA.) Donna is predeceased by her sister, Karen M. Johnson.

May she rest in peace.

Tributes

John Loheit wrote on Jan 14, 2021:

"I had the pleasure of working with Donna for several years at Datacard. She was managing the video department at the time. She introduced me to new video technology that helped me bring my vision to the screen for several projects. The most fun we had together was working on the United Way videos where she help bring to life my onscreen persona, Pithy John. She encouraged my outrageous ideas and was always ready with the camera and her great ideas. We often found ourselves laughing so hard during a shoot that we would need lengthy breaks to collect ourselves before getting back to it. She was one of the kindest and most giving people I have known. She expressed genuine excitement and joy in the simplest of things, and her laugh was contagious. I am grateful to have many of the outtakes from our video shoots and will be able to continue to hear that laugh. I am so sorry that she is gone. She was a wonderful person and I am a better person for having known her. My condolenses to her family and all of her close friends in IA."

KATHY SCHWALLER wrote on Nov 22, 2020:

""HELLO DOLLY" YOU WERE SUPER! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!"

Steve Strom wrote on Nov 21, 2020:

"Our dear Donna was always so full of Life and enthusiasm. Her smile and laugh could light up the room and bring joy. So wonderfully talented in so many areas of the arts. She will forever be "Dolly" after her amazing performance at FDSH. Would have loved to catch up with her at the "Class of 70" 50 year Reunion. May you be at peace and happiness in Heaven, dear Donna."

Luanne Akins wrote on Nov 19, 2020:

"So sorry to hear about Donna. Both my brother Tim and I performed with her in our high school musicals. She was such a wonderful person; so bubbly and upbeat. We always enjoyed being with her. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Luanne Akins and Tim Akins (Dick, we are your old classmate Gayle Akins?s daughter and son)"

Donna Mathey Longhauser Quick wrote on Nov 17, 2020:

"Donna was a 'hit' in Hello Dolly. She was a classmate of mine. What an amazing well lived life she had..so many adventures an experiences. What a creative, successful woman. I know she will be missed, she has touched many lives. Donna Mathey Longhauser Quick, FDHS class of 1970"

Jim McColley wrote on Nov 17, 2020:

"Donna had a zest for life. She loved God and lived her faith in service to others. She used her creative talents to bring joy to others. She was a great story teller and would engage you in empathy and most often to laughter. Most of all she would recognize the good in people and encourage them. True to her trust in Jesus who forgives and frees us for good works she modeled that in her life. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (1Thessalonians 5:11). Several of her extended family had the gift of sitting around a table with her at Applebees just a few weeks ago. She had a way of making everyone feel special. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Mary (Putnam) Petersen wrote on Nov 16, 2020:

"Donna was such an amazingly talented woman. We were in choir and A?Capella together, and, when she won the lead in Hello Dolly, she inspired me to try out as a dancer in the play. Her enthusiasm, humor, and joy for life was infectious, and she made our play practices so much fun. Her many successful ventures over her lifetime are incredible. Rest In Peace, my friend."

Jan Johnson wrote on Nov 15, 2020:

"Donna was a dear friend of mine. We have known each other since Sunday school days at Grace Lutheran church. I am so saddened to hear of her loss. Although I had not seen her for years we reconnected on Facebook. I know she was a night owl because we texted each other late at night. I always enjoyed her stories and paintings that she shared on Facebook. I am deeply saddened by her loss and give my deepest condolences to her family."

Diane Udermann McClurg wrote on Nov 15, 2020:

"Donna will be missed by us, Fort Dodge Senior High Class of 1970. Recently, when she shared her paintings, her repurposed finds that she refurbished , with photos shared on Facebook, her many talents were apparent. She was looking forward to our class reunion. Our sincere condolences to her parents and sisters . Kent and Diane (Udermann) McClurg , FDSH Class of 1970, Gainesville Texas "