DONNA KAY JOHNSON

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family.

At an early age, Donna showed her love for drawing, singing, dancing, playing piano and acting, a true force of creativity. While in high school, Donna played the part of Dolly Levy in the production of “Hello Dolly” launching her love for acting. Donna graduated from FDSH in 1970. Donna was a member of the Comedia Players and traveled with them to Leadville, Colorado, as part of a Summer Troupe. Donna acted in many Hawkeye Community Theater productions over the course of her lifetime. Having such talent, Donna auditioned for The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and was accepted. In addition to her studies at the Academy, Donna joined a travel band (The Open Road) as lead vocalist and conga player, which performed up and down the East Coast from Maine to Rhode Island. In the late 1970’s Donna was hired as Musical Director for the Broadway show, “Beatlemania”. In addition to hiring and rehearsing musicians for the pit orchestra, Donna conducted and accompanied the orchestra during performances. In 1980, Donna traveled to London, England, to work as the Musical Director for the opening production of Beatlemania. While in England, Donna traveled to Sweden to meet with her maternal grandparents’ cousins.

When Beatlemania closed, Donna left England and moved to Minneapolis. While in Minneapolis, Donna continued acting in local theater productions and also worked for Datacard Group. While at Datacard Group, Donna expanded her creative talents by being in charge of the Video production department. Donna retired from Datacard group in 2010.

In the late 1980’s Donna became involved with a group of doctors and dentists who traveled each year to Honduras providing free medical and dental treatments for Hondurans who were in need. This organization was called “Mission of Mercy”. Making yearly trips to Honduras, Donna fell in love with the culture and the people. After long hours working with the doctors, Donna would sing and play her keyboard for the doctors, nurses and Honduran community providing the evening entertainment.

She moved back to Fort Dodge in 2016 with her beautiful dog Rosa to be closer to her family.

Donna Kay Johnson is the daughter of Gladys Johnson Meier (Friendship Haven) and Richard “Dick” Johnson (Great Falls, MT.). Donna is survived by her sisters, Joan Johnson Drewes (New York) and Martha Johnson McColley Kersbergen (Fort Dodge, IA.) Donna is predeceased by her sister, Karen M. Johnson.

May she rest in peace.