Donna Emerson

October 4, 1929 - January 26, 2020

Donna (Zenor) Emerson, age 90, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia. Donna was born on October 4, 1929, to Harold and Reba Zenor. She attended Arnolds Park Schools and graduated there in 1948. In the fall of that year, she married Dick Emerson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Of that union, three children were born, Tom, Kathy, and Mark. They moved to Albia, IA, in 1956, and made it their home ever since. Donna and Dick shared 68 years of marriage prior to Dick’s passing on March 10, 2017. Donna worked at the Albia Variety Store with her mother and as a telephone operator at United Telephone Company. She also owned and operated D and D Café for eight years and then worked for Oakwood Estates and Monroe Care Center. Donna is survived by her children, Tom (Linda) Emerson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kathy Martensen of Cedar Rapids and Mark Emerson of Albia; five grandchildren, Christopher Emerson, Michael Emerson, Kristin (Ryne) Rumelhart, Erin Young and Melissa Emerson and two great grandchildren, Ella Young and Rowan Rumelhart. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Emerson; her parents, Harold and Reba Zenor; her maternal and paternal grandparents; and a son-in-law, Loran Martensen. Visitation will be held from ¬ 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Donna’s family present to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Roger Henry officiating. Burial will follow the service at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to Disabled American Veterans (DAV).