Obituaries 2 February 2020

Donna Lee Copper, 83

Donna Lee Copper age 83 of Ionia, IA died Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at her home.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at the United Methodist Church in New Hampton with Rev. Willy Mufata celebrating the service. Interment will follow at Richland Township Cemetery with Tyler Wood, Nick Schmitt, Mason Reilly, Morgan Reilly, Brad Knox and Harley Johnson serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2019, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Online condolences for the Copper family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com  641-394-4334
Donna Lee Copper was born on August 14, 1936, in New Hampton, IA on a small farmhouse at the Bill-town corner. She was the daughter of Marshall and Helen (Eckenrod) Knox. She attended country school to the east of Nashua at the Bradford Country School. Once she was in Junior High she attended Nashua Schools and eventually graduated from Nashua High School in 1955.
She met the love of her life, Edwin Copper, at a high school dance. Edwin actually "crashed" the dance, as he was out of high school. Donna always told the story that he would not leave her alone until she danced with him. The rest was history. The couple married on September 10, 1955, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Nashua. 
Before she met Edwin, Donna worked as a legal secretary and bookkeeper for a few different places in Nashua and Waverly. After that, she decided to help her father out and keep his books at his Auto Body Shop.
After their marriage, the couple farmed together for 64 years. They had many, many head of cattle, a seed and grain dealership, and many acres of ground to tend. Donna always had the attitude of "someone has to get this work done so let's get it done." 
Other than farming she enjoyed volunteering her time. Donna was a crucial part of the 4-H club and was an active leader for many years. She formed new troops and lead agendas from the time her children were in it all the way to her grandchildren. Volunteering at church was also important to her as she taught Bible Studies and Sunday School. She loved being around her grandchildren. When somebody became a friend of the Copper family, they became family. And that's the way Donna wanted it.
She is survived by one son, Alan (Nancy) Copper of New Hampton, IA; one daughter, Janet (Tim) Chandler of Plainfield, IA; one grandchild, Luann (Marc) Thomas of Rochester, MN; one honorary son, Randy (Sherry) Miller of Ionia, IA; one honorary daughter, Carol Rathbun of New Hampton, IA; seven honorary grandchildren, Christy (Pat) Pierce of Nashua, IA, Chantelle Zack of New Hampton, IA, Harley Johnson of Ionia, IA, Erica (Nick) Schmitt of New Hampton, IA, Nicole (Jeremy) Rethamel of New Hampton, IA, Tori Gebert of New Hampton, IA, Tyler (Sarah) Wood of New Hampton, IA; ten honorary great-grandchildren Lucas Pierce, Kaydence and Karissa Zack, Alexis, Tyler, Mikaela and Carver Rethamel, Cassie, Dylen and Eli Schmitt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Edwin on September 17, 2019; one daughter Joan Copper; one grandson Timmy Copper; one brother, Wally (Joan) Knox; one sister, Darlene (Tom) Connor.

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