Donna Schade Donna Marie Schade, the daughter of Earl and Dottie Waisner, was born August 28, 1921, in Sac City, Iowa, and died November 18, 2009, in Gainsville, Georgia, at the age of 88 years, 2 months, and 20 days.

Donna was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Sac City. She attended Sac City community schools graduating with the High School Class of 1939. She then attended Buena Vista College where she received her teachers' certificate. Donna moved to Gray, Iowa for her first teaching position. During this time she met her future husband, Merle Schade.

On August 7, 1943, she was united in marriage to Merle Vincent Schade in Yuma, Arizona, where he was stationed in the U.S. Army. Merle was transported overseas on November 17, 1943, and served in the European Theatre. During this time Donna taught school in Arthur, Iowa, and later Shelby, Iowa.

Merle was honorably discharged on October 30, 1945, and Donna and Merle lived in Chicago, Illinois, where their son James M. Schade was born.

They moved to Sac City where Merle became a licensed funeral director and was employed by Farber-Otteman Funeral Home. They moved to Newell, Iowa and later to Hartley, Iowa where Merle began selling insurance for Aid Association for Lutherans.

In 1962, they moved to Worthington, Minnesota. Merle was appointed General Agent of Southwest Minnesota and Donna taught the 5th grade at West Elementary school for four years then assisted Merle in operating the Schade Insurance Agency.

They retired in 1981 and moved to Apollo Beach, Florida.

During retirement they took many trips to insurance conventions and in 1987 sold their condo and purchased a motor home in which they traveled across the United States for over six years. They also enjoyed cruises and trips to Europe.

In 1997, they lived in Stuart, Florida, for a short time, then in Atlanta, Georgia, and on March 3, 2000, moved to live in Audubon, Iowa.

Merle died May 29, 2000. Donna continued to live in Audubon for a short time then moved back to Georgia to be close to her son.

Donna was an active member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches all her life. She was a member and served as President of the Church Ladies Aid Society, Business and Women's Club, Federated Women's Club, and P.E.O.

Writing was her hobby. She wrote two historical pageants that were produced, a children's Christmas pageant that was published, an Easter Chancel Drama, and other plays and programs for Women's organizations.

Preceding her in death in addition to her husband of over 57 years, Merle; were her parents; and her brother Carl Waisner.

Survivors include her son: James (Jim) and his wife Gertrude (Cricket) Schade; her grandchildren: Jeffrey and wife Jennifer Schade and Shanyn and husband Brian Foster; five great grandchildren all from Gainesville, Georgia; her sister: Jean and husband Bill Barrett of Collins, Iowa; her sister-in-law: Phyllis Krukow of Dickens, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The Celebration of Life Memorial service was conducted by Pastor Bradley Ketcham at St. John's Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa, with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery, Audubon.