Lidtke, Donna Mae (Stevenson) 1933 - 2024

LIDTKE, STEVENSON, LARSEN, EVERMAN, HASS, SOVEREIGN, FRANKE, ROETHLER, MASHAK, BREUER, LARSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/9/2024 at 16:05:59

Donna Mae Lidtke, age 91 of Lime Springs, IA passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in Lacrosse, WI.

Donna was born in Elma, IA on July 29, 1933 to Robert and Mildred (Larsen) Stevenson. The oldest of four, Donna was soon sent to be raised by her paternal grandparents, Matthew and Edith Stevenson, on their farm in Maple Leaf after the death of her mother. She attended the Maple Leaf country school through 8th grade with many of her cousins. As there was no bus to the Riceville, IA school when it came time to attend high school, Donna stayed during the school year with Ross and Laura Stevenson in Lime Springs. It was there that she met the love of her life, Paul Lidtke. They were married on November 30, 1951 at the Lime Springs Lutheran Church.

Paul and Donna moved to a family farm that they would later purchase near Saratoga, IA and happily raised four children there. She loved taking care of neighbor kids and her own grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surrounding herself with family brought her great joy and she hosted her nieces and nephews on the farm numerous times. After her last child was born, Donna went to work at Davis Corners as a cook and waitress. She also worked at the KOA Campground across the road. Not one to sit still, Donna would later be employed at the Elma Care Center and then as a Home Healthcare Provider.

Donna enjoyed knitting, embroidery, and quilting but is probably best known for her crochet work. A night owl, she would stay up working on new projects such as baby booties and afghans. She was known to have a green thumb and loved collecting new plants for her house. Donna was a very competitive card player and enjoyed games of 500. Before retiring from farm life, Paul and Donna started making winter trips down to Texas. They would enjoy many winters at their home in Weslaco together and Donna would continue to go down after Paul’s death in 2013. While there, Donna loved volunteering at the hospital helping to take care of the newborns and also tutoring students in the local schools. Donna truly loved giving her time to others in any way that she could throughout her entire life.

Left to treasure Donna’s memory are her four children, Nancy (Ken) Everman, Roberta (Rick) Hass, Brian (Sheryl Sovereign) Lidtke, Jo Ellen (Tracey) Franke and nine grandchildren, Erica (Mark) Roethler, Carrie (Mike Mashak) Everman, Rita (Matt) Breuer, Kyle (Lauren) Hass, Luke (Kari) Lidtke, Caleb (Lindsay Larson) Lidtke, Nate (Abbie) Lidtke, Justin (Kristina) Franke, and Josh (Meagan) Franke. She also leaves behind thirteen great grandchildren, numerous half siblings, extended family, and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul, and her three brothers, Dale, Ronnie, and Jerry Stevenson.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the Lime Springs Community Center with Pastor Jeff Jacobs officiating the service. Iowa Cremation and Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home are assisting the family. Donna’s family asks that you please dress appropriately for the warm August weather, Donna would want you to be comfortable.

Source: Hindt Funeral Home database