Donna Mae (Sexton) Chrestensen

Donna Mae (Sexton)Chrestensen, 84, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Calvary Episcopal Church (1308 S Cleveland Street) in Sioux City. A visitation will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., also at Calvary Episcopal Church. Reverend Stacy Gerhart will officiate. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Donna was born December 8, 1935 in Marathon, Iowa to Ralph and Hazel (Thode) Sassman. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in Iowa. On November 11, 1953, she married Donald Sexton in Rembrandt, IA. To this union, four children were born. The family lived in Spencer, IA before moving to Minnesota, then settled in Sioux City when the children were young. Donald preceded her in death on July 13, 1981. On May 30, 1992, she married Clair Chrestensen in Sioux City. Clair preceded her in death on September 3, 2013.

Donna was a housekeeping aid for St. Luke’s Medical Center for 27 years. She held many trophies for bowling and darts. She enjoyed camping, spending time down by the river, dancing with Jack, watching baby geese, watching football games and attending local basketball games, racing cars, traveling and collecting refrigerator magnets for every state she visited, and spending time with her family whom she loved dearly. Donna was very personable, she could carry on a conversation with anyone. She was full of life, caring, and lived spontaneously. Donna was famous for her pumpkin bars and potato salad which were favorites at family get-togethers.

Those left to honor her memory are her children; Deb (Jay Wren) Youngren of Sioux City, Diane (Ken) Hutchinson of Sioux City, Darlene (Roger) Kelley of Sioux City, Dennis (Carol) Sexton of Sioux City; brother Gerald (Barb) Sassman of Sioux Rapids, IA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; special friend Jack Strong; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, grandson Jerod Ehmen, granddaughters Megan and Ashley Kelley, and brother Eldon Sassman.