Donna Marie Wood

Donna Marie Wood, 83, of Marion, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Terrace Glen Village. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion, Iowa, where a vigil service will begin at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with an additional visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

She was born in Niobrara, Nebraska, on March 16, 1942, to Otto and Maybelle Eckley. The family lived in Alexandria, Lincoln, and Gothenburg, Nebraska, during Donna’s early childhood. She recalled spending time playing with cousins and accompanying her dad at his radio repair shop. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when she was a teenager. She attended Washington High School, where she formed lifelong friendships that endured throughout her life. After high school, she worked at Collins Radio, where she met Jerome Wood. They were married on June 6, 1964. Donna raised her family and returned to work at Armstrong Department Store, where she taught needlework classes. She was skilled at sewing, needlework, and various crafts. Many family members and friends received items she made over the years. Some projects were made with ease, and others certainly tried her patience, but she enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to give these things to others. She returned to work at Rockwell Collins until her retirement.

She was a member of the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s of Iowa for 65 years. She was Rebekah Assembly President from 2017-2018 and was a long-standing member of the board of trustees of PM Park in Clear Lake, Iowa. She also held other elective offices with the order. She was a proud member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. She returned to Niobrara to see family and attend powwows on many occasions. After retirement, Donna spent time with Jerome traveling in their RV, visiting family near and far, taking trips with friends, and wintering in Florida.

In 2023, Donna moved to Terrace Glen Village in Marion, Iowa. She found renewed energy and purpose as a welcome ambassador for new residents. She made many new and special friends at Terrace Glen. Her social calendar was filled with activities and heartfelt conversations that brought her so much fun and happiness. Donna was kind and caring, active and sociable throughout her life. It brought her enormous joy to spend time with her family and friends, especially playing cards and making memories. She had a positive, lighthearted spirit that endeared her to many.

She is survived by her children, Angela, Joel (Cheryl), and Paula (Jose); grandchildren, Adam, Jonathan, Benjamin (Becca), Nicholas (Samantha), Bailey (Zae), and Elena; 10 great-grandchildren, Ariel, Eric, Elijah, Charlotte, Saya, Eleanor, Rylee, Rowan, Aberdeen, and Adaleigh; and one great-great grandchild, Autumn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome; parents, Otto and Maybelle; an older sister, Alice, who died in infancy; sister-in-law, Linda Wood; and brothers-in-law, Donald Wood and Russel Fisher.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Terrace Glen Village and Hospice of Mercy for their compassion and care in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family in Donna’s memory.