"Paul, I am so sorry to learn of Donna?s passing. We worked together in Urbandale for several years. I have not met anyone as kind and caring as Donna. We shared many laughs and solved the world?s problems together. She made my world a better place and I hope she knew how special she was. She will be missed and thought of often. Thank you for making her happy!"
In loving memory of
Donna Jean Starck
November 26, 1951 - April 24, 2023
Donna Jean Starck of Ames, Iowa, died peacefully at Israel Family Hospice House on Monday afternoon, April 24, 2023.
A celebration of life gathering will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, starting at 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a service held at 4:30 at Grandon Funeral & Cremation Care (414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa). Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Donna was born in Traer, Iowa on November 26, 1951, to Clarence and Florence Schlicht Starck. She graduated from North Tama High School in 1970 and then ISU in 1974 with a BS in Home Economics Education. She taught in Iowa and Minnesota then returned to ISU for a BS in Food and Nutrition/Dietetics, graduating in 1979. She had a long career as a diabetes educator at CIDEC (Central Iowa Diabetes Education Center), Iowa Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, MediHealth Solutions, and Unity Point Health. Her work was about serving others and she deeply touched the lives of many patients.
Donna enjoyed running marathons, biking RAGBRAI, bike tours in other states and countries, and at age 45 rode her bike self-contained from Virginia to Oregon.
She met Paul Clark on a blind date in 1997, they married in 2003, and they had a 6-week honeymoon camping trip to Alaska. The honeymoon continued for another 20 years.
She was a dedicated volunteer in national and state parks, at Camp Hertko Hollow Diabetic Camp, Iowa Special Olympics, Project AWARE cleaning Iowa rivers, Ames UCC, Emergency Residence Project (now known as The Bridge Home) and recently at the Ames Animal Shelter. She was a Master Gardener.
Donna enjoyed walking, yoga, exercise, and had an appreciation for nature, coffee, and a healthy diet. She was a quiet, unselfish person, who was very kind and an extremely grateful person who authored 5 gratitude journals.
After falling many times late last summer, she was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. She faced this disease with an abundance of grace, courage, and humor.
Left to cherish Donna's memory is her husband, Paul Clark of Ames; sister, Carol Ogborn of Glen Ellyn, IL; nieces Gretchen (Ron) Madsen of Elmhurst IL, Allison Ogborn of Lansing, IL, Laura (Chris) DeMondo of Villa Park, IL; nephew Tom Ogborn of Chicago; and great nieces Elsa & Presley Madsen, and Parker DeMondo. She is also survived by Paul's children; Sean Clark of NYC, James (Jenna) of Phoenix, AZ, and Kyla (Adam Todd) Clark of Minneapolis, MN and grandchildren Jackson Clark of Los Angeles, CA, Jace & Jordan Clark of Phoenix, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents and Carey Starck, an infant brother.
Special thanks to all the staff at Israel Family Hospice House for their tender and compassionate care of Donna.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ames UCC, Ames Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice.
RIP, Donna Jean.
Tributes
"Donna and I crossed paths many times over our careers with diabetes education, as well as in the community. A quiet, loving person. Donna touched many lives, including mine. Blessings to all those that love her. "
"Dear Paul, I think the most telling statement in Donna's obituary was the "20-year honeymoon." How lucky you were to have met this extraordinary woman and have her in your life! How lucky we ALL were... a sign of true goodness in this world. Kathy Svec"
"Our family just loved Donna........she was just the most wonderful teacher for us when our daughter Becky was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 7. Becky was Dr. Hertko's youngest patient at that time! What a scary time this was for us, but Donna was one who helped us so much through all the trials, and tribulations we faced. She was so knowledgeable, calm and gave us so much hope and help with food ideas and things to do to get through the many times, when we did not know what was the right thing to do! I saw Donna once many years later and she told me she had gotten married, and I was so happy for her! What a wonderful woman she was and we were so thankful to have known Donna! Prayers for her family at this very sad time! "
"My prayers and sympathy, I have known Donna since 1980 when she would come to my Home Ec classes when I taught at Dowling and speak about diabetes. Donna was so kind, friendly, very professional. and a real advocate for people with diabetes. She touched many lives. She will be greatly missed but her legacy will live on. Sister Ladonna Woerdeman, OSF"
"Donna was a beautiful soul. I worked with Donna at MWDEC for 10 years. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and kind. So many memories were made at that office :) Rest in peace Donna"
"How perfect that you came into my life at a gym!! Your obituary is a wonderful tribute to your incredible life!! You will be sorely missed by so many all over the state of Iowa. Your hospice room became a Mecca for ?caring people? from all over the state. Rest easy, dear friend. I will miss your smile and your good humor!!"
"Donna always had the kind words and stable demeanor to get everyone through the trauma of college life. She was special. Love to her family in Donna's memory. Janet Fees Morgan, college roommate 1970 (?) - 1973. (The years run together.)"
"Donna was one of the sweetest women I have known. I did not know her well but have such good memories of times I spent with her. Lynne Van Valin"