Donna Mae Luchan

Donna Mae Luchan, 95, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Eden Acres in Perry, Iowa. A memorial visitation celebrating the life of Donna Luchan will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, 50010. A private family burial will be held prior to visitation on Tuesday. Donna Mae Houston was born March 16, 1930, to Dewey and May (Hinote) Houston in Kensett, Iowa, where she was raised and educated, graduating from Kensett High School with the Class of 1948. She was active in band and glee club. She later attended Iowa State University. Donna was united in marriage to John Luchan on September 16, 1950, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. The couple made their home in Mason City and Donna returned to Kensett while John was serving in Korea. Following the war, the couple moved to Ames where John completed his education. Donna was employed by the City of Ames in the City Manager's Office until the birth of daughter Karen. She stayed home to raise her daughter returning to work when Karen began school. At that time, she became employed by the Ames Community School Distr...[more]

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where she was an Administrative Assistant for 25 years retiring in 1989. Donna loved to bowl, participating in several bowling leagues over the years. She also enjoyed playing piano and cards. She was a longtime member of the Ames Woman's Club, serving in many roles in the organization, gaining many good friends along the way. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was well known as a great cook by family and friends alike. Donna is survived by her daughter, Karen (Scott) Stephan, of Ankeny; grandchildren, Lindsay (Adam) Gilland of Guthrie Center and Amy (Nick) Crumpton of Urbandale; great grandchildren Hudson, Finley, Isla, Hannah Mae Gilland, Elouise and Lucille Crumpton; her sister, Joyce Frederiksen, of Perry; special niece, Liz (Jim) Langill of Grand Haven, Michigan, and their family, Mike (Kate) Langill, along with Mason and Bennett, and Jenn (Tom) Kikkert and children Eleanor and T.J. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, brothers-in-law Mike and Chuck Luchan, sister-in-law Mary Ann Jacobson, brother-in-law Lewis Frederiksen and niece Sherry Leydens.