Donna Broadbent

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 4:46 pm

Donna Broadbent, 91, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. A mass of Christian burial was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, at the Church. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were “Here I Am Lord,” “Eye Has Not Seen,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Ave Maria” and “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” Lectors were Roger Huinker and Amanda Francisco. Offertory gift bearers were Donna’s grandchildren. Eucharistic ministers were Roger and Pat Huinker and Michelle Hanson. Honorary urn bearers were Keith Koch, Neil Soltow, Luke Reicks, Lee Wilmarth, Jim Weis and Roger Huinker. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah handled arrangements.

Donna Lou (Perry) Broadbent was born Sept. 10, 1928, the daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Myers) Perry in Fayette County. She was baptized Sept. 11, 1928, at St. Mary’s Church in Waucoma, by Rev. J. Sheehy. Donna attended St. Mary’s School and Waucoma High School, where she was her senior class valedictorian. She married Noel Broadbent May 22, 1948, in Hawkeye, and to this union two daughters were born; Christine Jo in 1952 and Anne Marie in 1968. Donna attended Iowa State Teachers College and at the age of 42 years earned her B.A. degree in education at Luther College graduating summa cum laude. That was 1971 and her oldest daughter Christine graduated from high school that same year. Donna devoted her life to her home, family and teaching. Donna was a member of Eastern Star. She loved making many afghans, rug hooking, embroidery, gardening, reading, cooking and art. She was involved in volunteering at the church and in the community.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Anne Francisco, Westlake Village, Calif.; grandchildren: Angie (Bryan) Miller, Carley (Werner) du Plessis, Amanda, Noelle and Isabella Francisco; great-grandchildren: Christopher and Hannah Faulkender and Zoey du Plessis; son-in-law, Paul Buchanan; sister-in-law, Helen Broadbent, Rochester, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel Broadbent; daughter, Christine Buchanan; parents, Joseph and Bertha (Myers) Perry; sisters, Evelyn (William) Gerleman and Rose (Ed) Bouska; brother, Leonard Perry; son-in-law, Terry Francisco; father and mother-in-law, Silas Broadbent and Catherine Broadbent; brother-in-law, Paul Broadbent; sister-in-law, Gayle (Otis) Torkelson.