Donna Marada

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the December 28th passing of our Mother, Donna Lee (Frazier) Marada.

Our Mother was born on July 6, 1936, and grew up on a farm in Roseland, Nebraska, a town of less than 200 people during her youth. After meeting and marrying our Father, Lt. Col. Joseph Paul Marada (who preceded her in death in 1992), she traveled the world and then some! Together, they raised five children (Karen Jares of Iowa, Joe Marada, Jr., of Nebraska, Mike Marada of Statesville, Kathleen Lewis of Illinois, and Kristina Marada of Wisconsin). In addition to these children, she leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and countless friends. 

As well as being a homemaker, our Mother volunteered for 39 years with Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, and also worked at the front desk of the Holiday Inn in Lenoir, where she had the great luck to meet Glenn Campbell! She was also a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where she attended with her best friend in later years, Maynard Joplin. 

Her favorite place on earth, though, was sitting on her back deck, looking out at the mountains in the distance, and the birds up close. Our mother absolutely loved North Carolina!

 We hope you will be able to join us on January 11, 2025 at Friendship Baptist Church (4676 Horseshoe Bend Road, Hudson) to say goodbye to the kind, strong woman who was our Mother. Receiving will begin a 10:00, the Service will start at 11:00.

Visitation will be at Heritage Fox Run, Assisted Living (3121 Macineery Drive, Council Bluffs, IA) on Sunday, January 19th, 1:00-3:00pm.