Donna Mae Starcevic

Donna Mae Clark Starcevic was called Home to the Lord on Friday January 31st. Donna gave us 92 wonderful years. She was born on May 25, 1932 in Albia to Merle Clark and Mildred MacGilvrey. One of six siblings, Robert, William, Lois, Paul, and Max. She attended Albia Community High School and graduated with the class of 1950. A graduate of Central College with a teaching degree, Donna taught third grade until she married the love of her life, James Starcevic. They were united in marriage on April 4, 1953 at the United Brethren Church in Albia. James and Donna were married for 64 joyful years. Together they raised three daughters, Cynthia, Caren, and JeanAnn. From those three blessings came five grandchildren; Craig, Catherine, Carolyn Derby, and Jennifer, Jillian Graham and 13 great-grandkids who all loved and cherished their great-grandmother. After raising her three daughters, Donna worked as the head cook at Head Start in Albia for many years. Later she worked as a Speech and Language assistant for the AEA. Donna was a member of the EUB Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, a Sunday school teacher, she found delight in her Sunday drives and shared ice cream cones with Jim, she attended the Iowa State Fair avidly, as a devout supporter of her teams she always looked forward to cheering on her grandkids and those Hawkeyes, she had a sweet tooth that would rival the best of them, and she was an enthusiastic closet card player with her daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids laughing until the sun rose. Nothing brought her more joy than grandkids and later her great-grandkids. Donna is survived by her three children, Cynthia (Charles) Derby, Caren (Mike) Graham and JeanAnn Starcevic; five grandchildren, Craig (Angela) Derby and their son Hunter, Catherine (Matthew) Bishop and their daughters Ella, Isabel, Caroline and Vivianne, Carolyn (Aaron) Rachubinski and daughter Elizabeth, Jennifer (Zach) Norris and their children Kervin, Kameron, Braxton and Carleigh, Jillian (Nathan) Van Donselaar and their daughters Cailyn, Malia and Ellaina, two brothers, Paul (Betty) Clark and Max Clark and a sister-in-law Vergene Starcevic. Donna is also survived by many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a wonderful "Hilton" neighborhood community. Preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Mildred; her husband, James; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Dortha Clark; a brother, William Clark; a sister and brother-in-law, Lois & Richard Maddy. A devoted woman of faith and family, she taught us to walk with the Lord. Her spirit will continue to guide us in our lives. Psalms 17:18 But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Donna’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Albia Trinity Church, with Pastor Phil Dicks officiating. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia.

Donna Mae Starcevic

May 25, 1932 - January 31, 2025