Donna Lou Wanek, age 89, passed away at the Solon Care Center on Wednesday May 20, 2026, one day short of her 90th birthday. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Clarence on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastors Frank Shepherd, Jr. and Ron Lashmit officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Donna was born May 21, 1936 in Cedar County to Herbert and Pauline Goldsmith. She married Warren Wanek on June 2, 1957 in Clarence. He passed away on December 5, 2019.

Survivors include her sons Wendell (Deb), Wayne (Pam) and Wallace (Mary); grandchildren Cody (Michaela) Wanek, Amy (Brandon) Wickliff, Mathew (Megan) Wanek, David (Andrea) Wanek, Crystal (Brett) Anderson, Sandra (Josh) Walker, and Carlene (Austin) Keeler; great grandchildren Dorie, Audrey, Winston, Zoe, Seth, Nolan, Sonora, Wesley, William, Emily, Henry, and Finley; and sister Joyce Hennings.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother Harold Goldsmith; sister-in-law, Patsy Goldsmith; granddaughter Samantha Jo Wanek; and brother-in-law Don Hennings.

Donna worked as a homemaker until the boys graduated from high school. She then worked as a nursing home dietitian in Iowa City and later at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City as a dietary cook until she retired. Donna was known as a wonderful cook, especially for her famous beef stroganoff, which her boys always looked forward to enjoying.

She found joy in the simple pleasures of life — tending her garden, canning the harvest, helping with farm chores, mushroom hunting in the woods, and watching birds and other animals on the farm. Donna also enjoyed playing cards, quilting, and creating beautiful needlepoint pieces with patience and care. But above all, Donna treasured time with her grandchildren.