Donna Jean Truelsen

Donna Jean (Johnsen) Truelsen of Storm Lake, IA went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 19, 2022. She died peacefully, with her family, at NewAldaya in Cedar Falls, IA.

She was born July 24, 1934, in Newell, IA. Her parents, Alfred G. and Erma J. (Penniman) Johnsen welcomed her into the world in their apartment above their restaurant. Around the age of 4, her family moved to Sac City followed a few years later with a move to Ulmer, IA. In Ulmer, her parents owned and operated a restaurant/tavern. She attended Sac Number 2 Country School through 8 ^th grade, followed by Lake View High School where she graduated with the class of 1952.

Donna Jean's friendly and out-going personality launched her career as a Telephone Operator. She started working part-time while in high school at Ulmer and Carnarvon Telephone Exchanges. Upon graduation, she worked for Iowa Illinois Telephone Co. in Nevada; Armstrong Telephone Co. in Armstrong; Northwestern Bell in Algona, Storm Lake, and Sioux City; and finally in Ankeny for Northwestern Bell, which later became US West.

It is through this career she met the love of her life. While in Algona, a young man named Dave, didn't pay the over-time charges for the pay phone and Donna Jean had to track him down. At the time he thought she was mean but changed his tune once he met her. David Roy Truelsen and Donna Jean were united in marriage October 7, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, IA. Together they co-parented Dave's 3 children from a previous marriage. He preceded her in death May 24,1993.

Faith was an essential part of Donna Jean's life. She was baptized June 12, 1949, and confirmed June 26, 1949, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ulmer, IA. She attended Lutheran Churches in different cities. Her long-time church home was St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, IA. Upon retirement in 1986 she volunteered at her church, with Meals on Wheels, and with the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.

Donna Jean is remembered as a faithful servant of God. She was generous, kind, and helpful to so many others during their time of need. She loved and treasured her family and friends. Her beautiful smile and laugh were contagious and shared often. Her home-made, from scratch brownies were the best! For fun Donna Jean, her cousin Fern, and friend Jeanette would drive to Danny's in Cherokee on Thursday nights for $1 margaritas. We assumed they ate as well!

Donna Jean is survived by her children Janis (Ron) Eastman of Lakeville, MN., Jack (Brenda) Truelsen of Cedar Falls, and David Lynn (Sandy) Truelsen of Gibbon, NE; 6 grandchildren Kelly (Scott) Johnson, Aaron Eastman, Matthew (Jessica Duff) Eastman, Shannon (Wade) Ingamells, Michael Andrew Truelsen, and Thomas Truelsen; 8 great grandchildren Kirsten Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Collin Johnson, Emily Ingamells, Zach Ingamells, Andrew (Truelsen) Christensen, Alex (Truelsen) Christensen, and Ethan (Truelsen) Christensen; sister Beverly Alderson; sisters-in-law Lois (Truelsen) Watson, Joyce (Truelsen) Anderson Hix, and Joann Truelsen; many nieces & nephews; and her Storm Lake family Dan, Kay, Samantha, and Kelly Evans.

She was proceeded in death by her husband; parents; paternal grandparents Fred & Christine Johnsen; maternal grandparents Frank & Alta Penniman; brother David Johnsen; grandson Michael Lynn Truelsen in infancy; granddaughter Michelle (Truelsen) Christensen; great granddaughter Shelby (Truelsen) Christensen in infancy; great grandson Brandon (Truelsen) Christensen in infancy; brothers-in law Kenneth Alderson, Kenneth Truelsen, Nells Truelsen, Robert Truelsen, James Dean Truelsen, Leo Christensen, Harlan Watson, Roger Anderson, and Arthur Hix; sisters-in-law Lena Truelsen, Agnes Truelsen, Evelyn Truelsen, and Ella Elizabeth (Truelsen) Christensen; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donna Jean's final act of generosity was to donate her body to the University of Iowa, so others could learn. A memorial service is planned at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, IA on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 10:00 am. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is assisting the family.