Obituary of Donna Edie

Donna Fay Edie passed away November 1, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa.  She was 90 years old.  Donna will be buried in the Oak Green section of the Oakland Cemetery, 1000 Brown Street, Iowa City, IA  at 2 pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.  There will be a gathering of friends and family that day from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, 2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, IA.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Donna’s name, to Table to Table, Iowa City, IA or Houses to Homes, Coralville, IA. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Donna was born January 21, 1934 to Cecil and Herbert Neale, in Northwood, Iowa.  She graduated from high school in Northwood, Iowa.  She graduated from Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa in 1957 with a BA and a teaching certificate.  She began her career as a teacher in an elementary school in Westminster, CO. 

On November 2, 1957, in Boulder, CO, Donna married the love of her life, John William Edie, originally of Rudd, Iowa and an Upper Iowa graduate, who, at that time was in graduate school at the University of Colorado.  They didn’t meet at Upper Iowa.  They first met the summer of 1957 when John was house painting just east of Northwood to raise money for grad school. 

John and Donna later moved back to Iowa where Donna continued to teach kindergarten, 1st, 2nd., and 5th. grades in elementary schools in West Liberty, Mt. Pleasant, West Union, Danville and Iowa City while John also taught and continued his study of Physics and research at the University of Iowa. Donna always enjoyed working with the elementary school children.

Donna also had a passion for books, children’s literature and art.  She wrote short stories and was always trying to improve her language skills.  She was a fan of the Harry Potter series. She painted and her favorite artist was Monet.  She participated in several women’s groups and was an outstanding contract bridge player. She enjoyed museums, especially the Art Institute in Chicago, music and theatre.

John and Donna travelled extensively throughout the United States and to Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia.  They both enjoyed outdoor physical activities: camping, canoeing, RVing, downhill and XC skiing, sailing, hiking, biking, swimming, birdwatching and exploring ancient ruins. etc.

Donna had a sweet nature and a good sense of humor. She and John never had children, but in the classroom she had hundreds of children, and she loved them all.

The staff at the Oaknoll West Loft will miss her affection and kindness.

Donna is survived by her sister Barbara Jane Neale Seglem of Fertile, Iowa and many nieces and nephews and their families.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Edie on December 20, 2022, and by her parents, brothers, Elliott and Herbert Neale and sisters, Bonny Lou, Ardes LeFern Neale Lebrecht and Carol Ann Neale Rohr.

Please keep Donna’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God Bless Donna.