Donna Mae Geary age 90 of Cedar Falls and formerly of Fairbank, died on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Western Home Communities where she resided the last few years of her life.
Donna was born on July 25, 1934 to Ralph and Pauline (Sagert) Reinard in Raymond, Iowa. Donna’s grandparents, William and Emma (Kurtt) Sagert, were also instrumental figures in her childhood. On June 18, 1952, Donna married Robert (Bob) Geary. Donna and Bob would live in Waterloo until 1970, where she worked in the bakery of the SunMart grocery store near their home. Following their move to an acreage outside of Fairbank, she served bravely as a bus driver for the Wapsie Valley Community School District for nearly 30 years.
Donna and family lost Bob to cancer in 2001. After realizing she needed new inspiration in her life, she rededicated a portion of their acreage which Bob, a pilot, had previously used as a landing strip; the land would become a place where she could express herself through her love of flowers and antique art. “You’ve got to take an interest in something. There’s no point in dwelling on what could have been. This is now,” Donna shared when interviewed by The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier on the land’s transformation following Bob’s death. Donna would become known for her beautiful flower gardens, and enjoyed when passersby would stop to admire her work, often offering them a cup of coffee and a tour.
In addition to her love of gardening and antiques, Donna was an aficionado of all things fiber art; she was a master of crochet, knitting, and cross-stitch. Her memory lives on in the numerous afghans, cross-stitch tapestries, and transplanted perennials bestowed upon her loved ones. We’d like to think that Donna is already busy sewing some beautiful new projects in Heaven.
Above all else, Donna’s greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. She concluded every visit by telling them she loved them, and then planting multiple kisses on their cheeks.
Donna is survived by sons Tom (Joyce) Geary of Denver, Iowa and Steven (Jolene) Geary of Bristol, Wisconsin, daughter Chris (Garry) Meier of Oran, and daughter-in-law Marie Jo Geary of Des Moines; five grandchildren: Andrea Geary (Steven Swanson), Wade Geary, Jeremiah Geary (Jamie Voshell), Brittany (Nick) Cripps, and Brandon Geary; five step-grandchildren: Gina (Karl) Ekstam, Michael (Paige) Kossack, Joe Meier, Ben Meier, and Michele Lawrence; seven great-grandchildren: Mila, Michael, Jai, Xavier, Keynan, Analisa, and Uriah; and 17 step-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Pauline; her husband, Bob; her son, Michael; her sister, Carolyn Olmstead; her brother, Roland Reinard; and her step-grandchild, Lisa Rowen.
A heartfelt thank you to the special angels at The Martin Suites and Cedar Valley Hospice who went above and beyond to help make Donna’s transition as peaceful and pain-free as possible.
Donna will be laid to rest by her immediate family in a private graveside service at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice. Alternatively, you could consider rededicating a patch of land near you to native perennial plantings. Donna would love it.