Donna Jane Elgin

Donna Jane Elgin, known to all as Jane, passed away on November 17, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 89 years old.

Born on November 26, 1931 in Centerville, Iowa, Jane was the only child of Orville and Irene Hill. She often told the story of being so small that she came home from the hospital in a shoe box. And she shared how her beloved father traveled far and wide to find goats milk to feed her. Orville owned his own bakery and under his gentle tutelage Jane learned to bake and decorate cakes. Irene was a nurse, not a profession Jane had any desire to follow.

On December 17, 1955, Jane married Charles Robert Elgin “Bob”, the son of a clothing store owner. The two had many things in common, including a love of good books, opera music, and meaningful discussions. They raised their five children to be adventurous, open-minded, and appreciative of life. The family worked together at the Des Moines Zoo, where Bob was director for many years. Jane loved caring for an assortment of animals at the zoo and in her home. She had a special relationship with a lion named Leonardo that she raised from a cub. Even at 400 pounds, Leonardo would put his massive paws on Jane’s shoulders to greet her.

After Bob retired from the zoo, he and Jane devoted themselves to German Shepherd dogs. They imported high quality dogs and raised litters in their home. Later on, Jane became an advocate for stray cats and adopted several that kept her company in her final years.

Art was a lifelong passion for Jane. She studied in the Southwest and completed her Fine Arts degree at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1954. Later on, at age 57, she earned her Master’s Degree from Drake University in Art Therapy and Art Education. She taught at the Des Moines Child Guidance Center for 25 years, helping her students communicate their feelings through art. In 2001, Jane retired so she could create full time, and until shortly before her death, was a prolific painter. Her drawings, paintings, and mixed media, all contributed to her abstract exploration of color and textures. Her work was displayed at various galleries, including the Polk County Heritage Gallery, the Iowa State Fair, Galleria imago Dei in Fairfield, Iowa, and a much-acclaimed retrospective exhibit at Iowa Wesleyan College in 2011.

If one had asked Jane what was dearest to her heart, she doubtlessly would have said being a mother. She poured herself into motherhood, creating a million memories for her five kids. Jane loved to read aloud to her children, she made scores of Halloween costumes, helped with 4-H projects, and created tasty meals for them, even when the pantry seemed bare. For decades, Jane hosted Sunday night dinners for her kids, grandkids, and friends, often cooking her unforgettable spaghetti sauce.

Jane is survived by her children, Rob (wife Jean), Joel (wife Kathy), Beckie, Bruce (wife Erin), and Michelle (husband Matt), as well as twelve grandchildren, Tim, Hannah, Maia, Megan, Dylan, Brenna, Keely, Kyra, Nicole, Caty, Fiona, and Philip. She also had three great-grandchildren, Harper, Leo, and Jack.
Her family and multitude of dear friends will forever miss Jane’s cheerfulness, her sense of humor, strong values, and undying compassion.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Bob Elgin.

The family will greet friends Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street. The family respectfully requests that guests wear masks and practice social distancing. Private family interment will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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