Donna M. Schara, 85
Donna M. Schara, 85 of Austin died on Oct. 4, 2008 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
She was born Jan. 8, 1923 in Moneke, Iowa to William and Olivia (Heglund) Schwinefus. She graduated from Claremont High School in 1941. After high school she worked at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, then in a munitions plant in Minneapolis during the war, later as a waitress in California, and also as a Telephone operator in Ossian, Iowa.
Donna married Charles Schara on Feb. 22, 1951 at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and friends. Donna was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charles Schara, Austin; daughters, Gayle (Dan) Jurkovich, Elk River, Minn., Robyn (Dale) Wirth, LaCrosse, Wis.; grandchildren, Gary (Dawn) Jurkovich, Jay (Erin) Jurkovich, Chris Solberg and Nicole  Solberg; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sophia, Mason and Cleo Jurkovich; brother, Wayne (Marjorie) Schwinefus, Decorah, Iowa; sister, LaVonne (Kermit) Anfinson, Ossian, Iowa; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 at Grace Lutheran Church with the Reverend Jeff Forbes officiating. Interment will be in the Postville Cemetery in Postville, Iowa. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 4 – 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday for one hour before the service. The organist will be Linda Anderson with vocalists Gary Jurkovich, Ron Schara and Debbie Nordland. Memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund
 The casket bearers will be Jeff Schwinefus, John Schwinefus, David  Anfinson, Gary Anfinson, Ron Schara, Robert Schara, Rick Schara and Roger  Schara.