A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Donna Salton, 65, of Ayrshire died June 6, 2024, at Ruthven Community Care Center.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Spencer with Father Kevin Richter officiating. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. in Logan Township Cemetery, Dickens. A visitation will take place Monday, June 10, at 5 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Arrangements by Warner Funeral Home of Spencer.
Donna Kay Martin was born to Dale and Joan (Demers) Martin on April 6, 1959, in Storm Lake. Donna was the second born and only girl of five.
Donna attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Storm Lake. After graduation, she spread her wings and moved to Des Moines to attend AIB and graduated with her associate of specialized business. She then returned to Storm Lake and attended Buena Vista College, graduating with her bachelor of arts, Magna cum Laude. In 2011, Donna graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Iowa library and information science master’s program for teacher librarian.
She taught elementary at South Clay in Gillette Grove for eight years, substituted for a few years, and ended her career at Emmetsburg Catholic as the technology coordinator, teacher and library aide. She taught there for 19 years.
Donna was united in marriage to Curtis Salton Dec. 17, 1983, in a -20˚blizzard with a broken furnace at the church. They had three children together: Leah, Kristiana and Kevin. Donna enjoyed the life of a farmer’s wife, although she never really got used to being so far from the lake.
Donna enjoyed taking her children on adventures to unique places. She shared many of her favorite things such as mulberry picking, hiking, tennis, bike riding, reading, crafting, baking, car rides, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Dale and Joan Martin; father-in-law Donald Salton; sister-in-law Jackie Martin; niece Amari Rae Newman; and nephew Samuel Martin.
Left to celebrate her life are husband Curtis; mother-in-law Barbara Salton; children: Leah (Mike) Wilson of Prairie City; Kristiana (John) Moore of Van Meter; Kevin (Jen) Salton of Dickens; grandchildren: Caleb, Megan, Colton Wilson; Demelza Moore; and Camden and Paisley Salton; brothers: Dennis (Lori) Martin, Douglas Martin, Dwight (Cindi) Martin and David (Sabine Kibby) Martin; sister-in-law Terri (Shannon) Roder; brother-in-law Donald (Diane) Salton; sister-in-law Julie (Mark) Bucholz; sister-in-law Jill (Rolland) Sollenberger; her best friend Donna Magee; and many nieces and nephews she loved so very much.
