Donna Sue Henkel

Donna Sue Henkel, 85, a resident of Perry Lutheran Home here in Perry, Iowa, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon February 27th, at the Dallas County Memorial Hospital, Due to complications from Covid & diabetes. Born in Jasper County, IA, Mrs. Henkel, or "Suzi," as she was known among family & friends, was a retired elementary school teacher who enjoyed a distinguishing career spanning nearly four decades in the Des Moines Public Schools, with her last assignment being 3rd & 4th Grade Language Arts at Park Avenue Elementary on the Southeast side. A steadfast loving mother & grandmother, as well as a compassionate, vivacious educator, Suzi had a talent for making learning fun for her students, always maintaining that it was her job to "not only teach students to read & write, but to help shape their characters, as well, in order that they might become productive citizens one day." She was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church, where she & her late husband, Franz, were married after both graduated from Drake University. Ever the social butterfly, the former Camp Hantesa camp counselor was a long-standing member of numerous social and professional organizations, including Tri-T (professional teaching sorority), American Business Womans Association, Kappa_Kappa_lota.org (educational association). Northwest Community Center Flower Club, as well as the anchor of her Womans League Blowing Team, "The Lulus. Proceeded in death by her parents Thelma Smith & George Holm, she is survived by her two sons, Laine, of Osage Beach, MO, and Lance, of Indianapolis, IN, her two grandchildren, Olivia and Reed, of Arvada, CO, as well as sisters Pam Good of Fairfield, IA, & Kathy (Marty) Box of Ottumwa, IA, and brothers Dana Holm of Humeston, IA, & Larry Holm of Omaha, NE, & Phillip (Maggie) Holm, of Ottumwa, IA. Those wishing to commemorate the life of Donna Sue Henkel can feel free to make a donation to the First United Methodist Church of Des Moines, IA, in her honor.