Dona J. Hicks

Dona J. Hicks

Hartley, Iowa

            Services for Dona J. Hicks, age 89, of Hartley and formerly of Sutherland who passed away on Friday, November 25, 2022, at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley.

            Arrangements are pending at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina.

Dona Jean (Jahn) Hicks was born August 28,1933 to Emma (Wildman) Jahn and Emil Jahn in Sioux City, Iowa.  She was welcomed home by her older brother, Jack.  She grew up on her mother’s family farm in Liberty Township Section 6.  Emil loved good horses and he assured his little girl learned to enjoy them.  She attended Gaza Consolidated Schools and graduated in 1951.  She was a cheerleader for the Gaza Pirates and a Majorette for the marching band.  Dona married Richard Hicks on July 11, 1951, at Sutherland Church of Christ.  The United States Marine Corp sent Richard and Dona to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  There they developed life-long relationships with other United States Marine Corp families especially Tom and Elsie Taylor of Corning, New York.  While stationed at Camp LeJeune, Douglas Richard Hicks was born.  After Richard and Dona returned to O’Brien County, they purchased their farm in Section 16 of Grant Township, O’Brien County.  Children Denise Rae and Daniel Scott were born and raised in O’Brien County.  Dona was a wife and mother, a Sunday School teacher, a bible study participant, an avid supporter of school and church activities, and horse shows.  She constantly encouraged many acquaintances, and family, with cards, newspaper clippings and notes of encouragement.  She was tiny, but she was determined. She loved the outdoors and her horses, donkeys, and dogs.  She was rarely still and quick to offer a word of encouragement often in the form of an arm punch or witty exclamation.  She attempted to foster optimism in all she knew.  Her favorite bible verse was Romans 8:28 “In all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

She is survived by her children Douglas & Denice (Ebel) Hicks of Oro Valley, Arizona; Denise (Hicks) & David Steffen of Sutherland, Iowa; Daniel & Joni (Lackey) Hicks of Mesa, Arizona. She is also survived by three grandchildren Dain & Brooke (Huffman) Hicks of Silver Creek, Nebraska; Dustin & Jamie (Pedersen) Hicks of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and Drew Hicks of Mesa, Arizona; and five great- grandchildren Brianne & Elliott Watts of Osceola, Nebraska; Dillon & Dakotah Hicks of Malcom, Nebraska; and Dayton, Drake and Delaney Hicks of Spirit Lake, Iowa.  She is also survived by four Great- Great -Grandchildren Beckett, Ainsley and Whitney Watts of Osceola, Nebraska: and Dunham Hicks of Malcom, Nebraska.  As well as her Sister-in-law Shirley (Otho)Kinsley, and brother-in-law Beryl Hicks.  Many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard.  Her parents; stepfather, Kenneth Weitzel; her brother; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucille (Nelson) & George Hicks; Sister-in-law, Jan Hicks, nephew Tim Hicks and great-nephew Kipp Kinsley.