Farber, Donna Jean (Levene)

Donna Jean (Levene) Farber, 68, of Iowa City, died suddenly Monday, April 2, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City.

Donna was born Nov. 9, 1943, in Galesburg, Ill., the daughter of Arthur and Maxine (Beck) Levene. Graduating from Galesburg High School, she moved to Chicago to study at Patricia Stevens College to become a flight attendant until she discovered she wasn't fond of flying. She also trained for and worked in office support positions in Chicago before meeting and marrying Ronald Farber there on Feb. 21, 1966, then moving to Iowa City.

She was an abstracter for Hawkeye Title & Settlement Co. in Iowa City.

Donna was an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), being named Woman of the Year in 1983. She also was a member of sorority Beta Sigma Phi International and the most loyal Hawkeye fan. As a longtime member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Donna served many years with Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) as co-chairwoman of the Maya Winther Circle and on numerous church committees, taking a crucial leadership role in the elevator project.

Donna's friendship was her greatest strength, which she offered to one and all. She often took new church members under her wing and provided kindness and support whenever and wherever she was needed.

Donna is survived by her husband of 46 years, Ronald Farber of Iowa City; daughter, Beth Farber of Columbia, Mo.; son and daughter-in-law, David and Emily Farber of Iowa City, and their children, Benjamin, Abraham, Elsa and Isaac; brother and sister-in-law, David and Lore Levene of Mount Prospect, Ill.; nephew, Erik (Julie) Levene, and their children, Sarah, Jack and James Patrick; niece, Dana (Jamie) Levene-Nortz; son-in-law, Anthony (Cindy) Ackerman of Marion; and grandson, Tyler Ackerman, the son of Donna's daughter, Rebecca Ackerman, who preceded her in death, as did her parents. Donna had many loving cousins as well.

Funeral services for Donna Farber will take place at 3 p.m. Monday, April 9, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with Pastor Karl Divine-Koch officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be Tuesday, April 10, at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorials be sent to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 123 E. Market St., Iowa City, IA 52240.

Condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

Published April 5, 2012 in The Gazette