Donna Speas

On July 12, 2023, Donna Belle Speas passed away peacefully at age 91 surrounded by a room full of loved ones. She was the youngest of 6 children (5 girls, 1 boy) born to Harry and Rebecca Frakes. Donna was born on December 18, 1931 at her home in Bondurant, Iowa.

Donna loved life on the farm and would often talk about how much she enjoyed taking in the views of the cornfields. She lived the majority of her life in Bondurant and attended Bondurant schools growing up. It was at Bondurant High School where she met Charles Avery Speas. The two were married in December of 1949 and went on to have four children.

She is survived by her daughters Rebecca Zaver and Teresa (Rob) Faust, and son Chuck (Dona) Speas; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Zaver Smith, Molly Zaver, John (Christy) Speas, Matt (Tabie) Adey, Andrew Speas, Abbie Speas, Jessica (Tony) Ross, and Adam (Kasha) Speas; 14 great grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her son Ed Speas, daughter-in-law Jane Speas, husband, four sisters, one brother and parents.

There were many things that Donna enjoyed during her life. Among them were monthly card club gatherings with close friends, tending to her flowers, feeding birds (especially hummers as she called them), traveling and going on cruises with her sisters, shopping at Von Maur, spending time with her lifelong friend Kay Ross, and following politics. She always referred to herself as a “Proud Democrat.”

With as many things that brought her joy, there was one thing that she valued above all: Family. Donna was very generous where her kids and grandkids were concerned and would always be there for anything they needed. She was a wonderful cook and would often spoil each and every one with their favorite foods. Watching her great-grandkids play was one of her favorite things to do in recent years.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 to 1:00 followed by a funeral at 1:00 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Altoona on August 5, 2023. We invite anyone attending the services to wear her favorite color blue in her honor.

Any donations may be made to the family to later be donated to her favorite causes. Flowers can be sent to Hamilton’s in Altoona.

Print