Donovan, Sandra L.

Sandra L. Donovan, 41, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. A memorial mass will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City, with the Rev. Michael Phillips. A reception will follow for family and friends in the parish hall of the church. Remembering Sandra's passions in her life, memorial donations can be given to establish an educational fund for her daughter, Regan; or for the needs of patients and families of the Adult Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at

Sandra Lee Viet was born April 18, 1968, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, the daughter of Darwin and Karla (Jamison) Viet. She attended schools in the Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock School District, graduating in 1986. She enlisted with the United States Air Force following high school. It was here that she met her future husband, Shawn M. Donovan, and they were married on Oct. 21, 1989, in San Bernardino, Calif. Upon leaving the Air Force, the couple moved back to Iowa, where they attended and graduated from the University of Iowa, Sandra with her BSN degree in Nursing. She has been employed by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics since September 1996, caring for patients and their families in the Adult Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for the past four years. Sandra had a calling in this area and gave of herself freely to the needs of her patients and their families. Maintaining strong relationships with them years after leaving the hospital.

On Feb. 24, 2006, Sandra and Shawn were overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, Regan Eleanore. Regan was the center of Sandra's world and the fulfillment of all of her hopes and dreams. During their brief time together, Sandra loved her “little girl Regan” with all of her heart and soul.

In addition to her husband, Shawn and daughter, Regan; other family includes her mother, Karla Wessels of Tama; sisters, Doreen Morrow of Tama, and Veronica Uthe (Chris) of Dumon; niece and nephews, Autumn Morrow, Adam Gerdes and Jakie Uthe; her mother-in-law, Kristine Donovan of West Allis, Wis.; sister-in-law, Colleen Greoschel (Neil) of Malone, Wis.; brother-in-law, Charles Donovan (Jennifer) of Waukesha, Wis.; and niece and nephews, Kiley Donovan, Evan Greoschel and Cullen Dovonan.

She was preceded in death by her father, Darwin Viet; father-in-law, Michael Donovan; and her grandparents.

Sandra's family is touched by the tremendous outpouring of love and support that has been offered by the many people that Sandra touched during her all too brief time with us. Sandra is, and will always be, greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to have known her.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Sandra's family and her services.