Donna L. Young

Donna L. Young, 64, of Winterset, died Sunday, November 27, 2011 at her home. A visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 29th, with family present to receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 30th at Ochiltree’s. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery at a later date and memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Winterset Care Center South’s Activity Fund and/or Middle River Hospice. On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.ochiltree.com. Donna Louise Elderkin was born January 13, 1947 in Des Moines; the daughter of Frank and Louise (Busch) Elderkin. Donna graduated from Orient-Macksburg High School in 1965 and went on to attend the University of Iowa where she obtained her nursing degree. She later received a masters in nursing. Donna worked as a nurse all of her working life. She began her career in Omaha and later moved to California where she worked as a burn nurse. She later moved to Illinois where she started her family and was a Nursing Instructor for the Frontier Community College in Fairfield for many years. In 1997 she returned to Winterset and enjoyed her time working at the Winterset Care Center South. She enjoyed nursing and the folks she cared for and worked with were like a second family to her. Simply said, she loved helping people and was always willing to make a new friend. The greatest joy in her life was her children. She took great pride in her children’s achievements and always being there for their countless activities. Donna was especially proud to see all of her children graduate from college. Though, she never missed an opportunity to share an embarrassing story about them. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Winterset. When not working she loved to relax by doing crossword puzzles and being the keeper of the family genealogy. She also had a passion for sewing, creating countless blankets and pillows for family and friends. Donna is survived by two sons, Bradley and Granger Young of Carbondale, IL; a daughter, Shaylee Young of Winterset; two brothers, Frank (Melinda) Elderkin of Lewisville, TX and Gary (Karen) Elderkin of Winterset. She was preceded in death by her parents.