Stender, Dona Fern

Dona Fern Stender, 76, of Anamosa, died Tuesday morning, June 5, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa, on Friday June 8, with visitation Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dona F. Stender was born April 6, 1936, in Lost Nation, Iowa, the daughter of Charles C. and Grace S. (Osgood) Waters. Dona was raised and graduated from high school in Lost Nation. She married J. Clyde Stender Sr. on June 24, 1955, in Lost Nation. Dona worked many years as a receptionist for Unity Church in Cedar Rapids and the United Methodist Church in Anamosa. She also spent time working at Farmstead in Cedar Rapids and Polo Plastics in Monticello.

Dona is survived by three children, John (Susan) Stender of Alpena, Mich., Judy (Dan) Lubben of Marion and Joseph (Kara) Stender of Bettendorf; 10 grandchildren, Tony (Michelle) Raymer of Des Moines, Jessica (Andrew) Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Troy Raymer of Iowa City, Tommy (Aja) Elliott of Biloxi, Miss., Adam Lubben of Marion, Johnny Elliott of Houston, Texas, Renee Stender of Alpena, Mich., Dalton Lubben of Marion, Alexandra Stender and Ryan Stender of Bettendorf; and two great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Otto. Also surviving Dona are five siblings, Mic Sheldon of Lost Nation, Dorothy Eggert of Wyoming, Iowa, Jeannette (Cecil) Knuth of Cascade, Connie (John)  Nissen of Wyoming, Iowa, and Irma (Ed) Neiber of Elwood; and her beloved “Peanut.”

Dona was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; three siblings, Chick Waters, Sandra McCombs and Ed Waters; and two children, Jodii Raymer and Jann Elliott.

Dona very much enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; especially her grandchildren. She was also very active as a volunteer with St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Anamosa, Camp Courageous, Hospice of Mercy, Anamosa Library and the Hall of Radiation at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

A special thank you to Dr. Wilbur and the staff at Hall Perrine Cancer Center as well as the staff and volunteers at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

The family would appreciate donations in memory of Dona go to Camp Courageous.

Online condolences may be directed to www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.

Published June 7, 2012 in The Gazette

Updated online only June 8, 2012