Donna Lou Farland

Donna Lou (Starck) Farland, age 97, of Waukee, formerly of Newton, was received into the arms of Jesus on May 7, 2026. Donna was born on July 16, 1928, in Washington, Iowa to Mathias Starck and Marie Swartzendruber Starck. She attended country schools in the Kalona area and graduated valedictorian from Kalona High School in 1946.

Donna later moved to Newton where, on June 19, 1948, she was united in marriage to Clifford Lee Farland, and where they raised their son, Mark and daughter, Joni. Donna worked at the Vernon Company before becoming a homemaker and was later a legal secretary at the former Matthias, Tyler, Levin, and Nuzum Law Firm, retiring after 20 years. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Newton for over 60 years, and also volunteered her time on school and hospital committees. After 47 years of marriage, Cliff preceded her in death on October 24, 1995. In 2008, Donna moved from Newton to Waukee where she made her home with Joni for 18 years.

Donna was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She found the most joy in family, friends, music and traveling. She cherished her “sisters” weekends spending time reminiscing, playing games and lots of laughter.

Donna leaves a legacy of profound faith, selfless giving and an unwavering love for her family.
Those left to cherish Donna’s memory are her children, Mark (Bonnie) Farland of Cedar Falls and Joni Farland of Waukee; granddaughters, Sarah (Ryan) Fagan, Abby (Steve) Staniger, and Meredith (Kyle) Seuferer; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Adam, Ellie, and Anna Fagan, J.D., Taylor and Maya Staniger, and Derek, Tate, and Olivia Seuferer; brother-in-law, George Graham; stepbrothers, Charles Carnahan and Paul Carnahan; many beloved nieces and nephews, each one being her “favorite”; as well as many cherished friends.

In addition to husband Cliff, she was preceded in death by twin daughters in infancy; twin son and daughter in infancy; her parents; brother, McKinley Joseph Edwards; sister, Jackie Graham; sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Dwane Altemeier; stepfather, McKinley Edwards; beloved stepfather, Jesse Carnahan; and stepbrothers and stepsisters, Frank, Boyd, Dwight Carnahan, Doris VanderWerff and Nina Farland.

Services will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed from www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com. Burial will be at Palo Alto Cemetery in Newton, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Infinity Home Care, St. Croix Hospice, A Bright Future for Kids, or a charity of your choice in loving memory of Donna.

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