Donna Maher

Donna was born on May 2, 1930, in Perry, Iowa, to Patrick James and Nora Marie (Collins) Ryan. The proud daughter of second-generation Irish immigrants, she carried her heritage close to her heart throughout her life. She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1948 and later attended St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She then moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked for Union Pacific Railroad. There, through mutual friends, she met Gene Maher. The couple married on February 4, 1956, in Perry, Iowa.

After spending their first year of marriage in Grand Island, Nebraska, Donna and Gene returned to Iowa in 1957, settling in Des Moines before the birth of the first of their five children. In 1969, the family moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin, and in 1973 they made their permanent home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. There, they owned and operated the beverage wholesaler Maher Distributing Co. for more than 20 years. After selling the family business in 1993, Donna proved that retirement was simply an invitation to reinvention. She embarked on a new career as a realtor with Coldwell Banker, where she worked from 1995 to 2014. Her kindness, integrity, and genuine care for others made her a natural in the profession.

Donna was devoted to her Catholic faith and centered her life around her family. Above all, she was a loving and steadfast mother and grandmother who encouraged generously, supported faithfully, and always stood firmly in her family’s corner. Her children and grandchildren knew they were deeply cherished. She took a sincere interest in others and was a natural conversationalist with a remarkable gift for listening; when you spoke with Donna, you felt valued and appreciated. Her 95 years were marked by love, resilience, and quiet strength.

In her free time, she enjoyed playing bridge, antiquing with her “Birthday Club” friends, participating in Questers and P.E.O., reading, and traveling with her family.

Donna is survived by her children: Kevin and his wife Nancy of Cedar Rapids, David of Des Moines, Scott of Chicago; Joan of Excelsior, Minnesota. She is also survived by Kevin and Nancy’s children, her grandchildren: Amelia of Minneapolis, Michael of Chicago, Sophia of Chicago, and William of Tucson, Ariona and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Tom; her husband, Gene; her brothers, James Patrick Ryan and Vincent Ryan; her sister, Mary Margaret Gievier.

Visitation will be Friday February 27th from 4-6 pm at Holy Trinity Church, 2501 6th Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Mass of Christian burial will be at Holy Trinity Church Saturday February 28th at 10:30 am; burial at Corpus Christi cemetery following the mass.

Memorials may be left to Holy Trinity Food Pantry, Holy Trinity Parrish or Friends of the Fort Dodge Public Library.