Donna was born in Manilla, IA, on March 19, 1930, and moved to a farm near Harlan, IA, when she was three years old. She graduated from Harlan High School, attended Simpson College, and graduated from Northern Iowa with a BA in Education and Art. She met her husband, Leslie Graham, in Kirkman, IA, where they were both teaching school. They married on June 10, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Harlan. After teaching in Manson, IA, they moved to Marshalltown in 1957. Donna taught art at several elementary schools and Anson Middle School while her husband, Leslie, taught advanced math at Marshalltown High School. They had three children, Melody Sue, Paula Ann, and Brenton Todd. Donna was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church. She served on many committees in the church, including Legislative Chair for the 3rd District. Donna was a past president of the Central Iowa Art Association, served on the boards of Churches United for Compassion and Concern, and American University Women, Kappa Delta Pi. She was an international honor society member in education, was active in political parties, Women’s political Caucus, and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) committee. Donna taught art classes at the YWCA, Fisher Community Center, and Adult Education. She served as a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout leader, as well as 4-H leader. Donna was a substitute teacher for many years in the Marshalltown Community School District and surrounding area schools. Her most memorable service was to the State PTA board of Managers where as Reflection Chair had 17 national winners in art, music, literature, and photography. As a lobbyist for PTA, she was successful in programming and passing the State Immunization Law. Donna’s numerous hobbies, which highlighted her creative and imaginative spirit, included ceramics, oil painting and doing art projects with her children and grandchildren. Donna also enjoyed traveling and was very proud that her family visited every state except Hawaii and Alaska. Donna’s dearest wish was granted by traveling to Europe with Leslie in 2001.

Donna is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Leslie Graham, resident of the Iowa Veterans Home; daughter Melody (Richie) Wolfe, of Lucas, TX, daughter Paula Graham, of Marshalltown, and son Brenton (Katie) Graham, of Clive, IA; grandchildren: Courtney and Brian Wolfe and Jay and Erica Graham; sister Charlene (Tom) Johns, of Omaha, NE; and brother John (Svetlana) Hemminger, of Tampa, FL; sister-in-law Helen Olsen, of Minnesota; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Pauline and John McKinley Hemminger and brother Ronald Hemminger.