Donna Myers

Donna Mae (Erkes) Myers was born November 16, 1947 to Herman "Shorty" and Mildred (Foth) Erkes in Sheldon, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and attended elementary and middle school at St. Patrick's Catholic School. She graduated from Sheldon High School as a proud member of the Class of 1966.

A year after graduating, at just 19, she and a friend, set out on an adventure and moved to San Diego, California. It was there that she would meet her future husband, Larry Myers, who was a sailor in the United States Navy. She often joked through the years that with the thousands and thousands of sailors stationed there, she couldn't help but meet and marry one. Following his honorable discharge, they married in Sheldon, Iowa on July 31, 1971 and moved to Frazee, Minnesota to begin their married life. In 1978, she and her family moved back to Sheldon, to a house across the street from her parents. She took great pride in being a caretaker for her parents and her aunts, and loved to be the home where extended family gathered for the holidays and all of her kids' friends liked to hang out. In 2002, she and Larry moved to Tyler, Minnesota. In the fall of 2022, Donna's health required her to move to Lakeview Assisted Living in Balaton, where Larry visited almost every day. In December of 2024, she moved to Sunrise Manor in Tyler, only a half a block from her home.

Donna had many jobs through the years. Some of the most notable include daycare, "the bread and milk lady" at the Sheldon Middle School cafeteria, Iowa Theatre and Video, Village Northwest Unlimited, and Coordinator for the Sheldon Senior Dinner Date Program. Her favorite role, however, far and above all else, was being a mom and gramma. Her children, Julie and Ryan, and her grandchildren, were the center of her world. She loved attending their school events, ball games, swim meets, hockey games, and was always sure to have their favorite snacks and treats at the ready. Her role as a mom and gramma didn't stop there, however, as she extended that love to her children's and grandchildren's friends and neighbors, as well as her exchange student daughters, Maria and Patricia. Known by all as Gramma Donna, her home was a safe space where all were welcome.

Through the years, Donna was plagued by a myriad of health issues, more than most people would be able to endure. But with each new challenge, she persevered with strength, courage, and hope. She passed away peacefully under Hospice Care at Sunrise Manor on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the age of 78.

Donna is lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Larry; children, Julie (Daniel) Bedow of Tyler, Minnesota and Ryan (Stacie) Myers of Sioux Center, Iowa; grandchildren, Taryn Bedow, Carter (Breanna Potter) Bedow, Grant Bedow, Addison Bedow, Evan Myers, Luke (Megan Brandt) Myers, Owen Myers, and Grace Myers; great-grandchild, Baby Boy Bedow due in July; sisters-in-law, Doris Myers, Linda Myers, Lela (Dan) Platt, Lois Quail, Marlene Myers, and Rebecca Zimmerman; bonus daughters, Maria Augusta Vela De Zepata of Wake Forest, North Carolina and Patricia Romero of Valencia, Spain.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Mildred Erkes; granddaughter, Megan Bedow; brothers-in-law, Roy Myers, Bill Goodwin, Jerry Axemaker, Irwin (Butch) Quail, Roger Myers, and Richard Zimmerman.