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Madonna Donna Kieffer
1925 - 2018
MKieffer

Madonna M. “Donna” Kieffer, age 93 of Darlington, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. She was born Jan. 17, 1925 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Joseph and “Lou” (Winters) Lehnen. Donna graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Dubuque in 1943. She was united in marriage to Francis N. Kieffer on Oct. 5, 1946 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dubuque. Donna grew up in Dubuque. Following her marriage, she moved to Gratiot Township where she farmed with her husband and kept books for Kieffer Electric. Donna remained on the farm until moving to Lafayette Manor in 2009.
Donna is survived by her children: Linda (Wayne) Utterback of DeForest, Nick (Rose) Kieffer of rural Darlington, Jean Kieffer of Richland Center, and Ted (Debra) Kieffer of Dodgeville; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers: Ray Lehnen of Iowa City, Iowa and Joseph Lehnen of Red Wing, Minn.; and one sister: Janet (Charles) Waller of Ankeny, Iowa and a special niece: Brigit Barnes of Dubuque. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Francis in 2003, one son: Roger Kieffer in 2008; two brothers: Robert and Marvin Lehnen; one sister: Ruth Ann Sauser; and five sisters-in-law.
Donna was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington, its Council of Catholic Women, and volunteered at Holy Rosary Elementary School in the school library. She was also a proud member of the local Homemakers Club. Donna loved spending time with her family creating memories they will all remember forever. She liked to spend time with her friends and enjoyed square dancing with Francis for many years. Donna was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading about history, architecture, archeology, and a number of other subjects. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet St., Darlington) with Rev. Joji Reddy officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday, March 29, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the church where a rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Donna’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lafayette Manor for their kindness and care shown Donna over the past many years.