Donna Lee Carmody

Donna Lee Carmody passed away in Le Sueur on August 8th, 2018. The visitation will be at Kolden Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 14th from 4 - 7 pm. Her memorial service will be Wednesday, August 15th, at Kolden Funeral Home at 11 am, followed by a luncheon at Zion United Church of Christ around noon. Donna Carmody (nee Kline) was born on November 22, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She and her sister, Carol, grew up in Waupaca, enjoying all the benefits of healthy, midwest living. She married the love of her life, Michael Carmody, December 27th, 1958, just as Michael was finishing college and starting his lifelong career at Green Giant. They lived in several different states while Michael was promoted to various positions in the Green Giant company, before settling with their three children, Katie, Kevin and Becky in Le Sueur, Minnesota. Both Michael and Donna enjoyed participating in community activities and charitable organizations such as Zion United Church of Christ, the Minnesota Valley Hospital Foundation, and Lions. Donna was one of the kindest and most generous woman you could have hoped to meet. She was right on the spot with a humorous anecdote, a warm smile, a sympathetic hug or a friendly chat. For her family and friends, she set a high standard by example for caring, patience and thoughtfulness. Donna was a person who we were happy to be around and we appreciated how blessed we were in this life to know such a positive, uplifting person. Once, when we told her how sweet she was, she insisted that she wasn't syrupy sweet, but "sweet with a side of zingy zest". Donna had a lot of interests and hobbies - most involved activities with family and friends. She loved playing bridge and insisted that winning less than a dollar was still winning. She travelled to many countries and vacationed around the US. She relaxed by doing embroidery, word searches and computer card games. An avid reader, she loved kicking back in the recliner with a cup of coffee and a good mystery or an antique cookbook. She collected literally thousands of books on a huge variety of topics that are stashed in every room of the house. One of Donna's passions was collecting beautiful and fun items. Her eclectic interests meant the house displays included eggs, clocks, bells, nativities, dolls, Santa Bears, cat figurines, angels, seasonal dishes and lots and lots of Christmas decorations. She enjoyed having a standing date every Wednesday morning for brunch with the "gals". The weekly gathering began in the 1970's as a sewing circle. But after a decade or two of waning interest in sewing, they admitted their neighborhood group was more of a Ladies' Brunch Club which eventually visited most of the local restaurants. As her children became adults, she continued to host every holiday celebration and birthday party. She was so happy to have grandchildren, Conlon and Faye, who eagerly gave their "Mooma" permission to act goofy and tell dumb jokes. They gave her another reason to shop year round for Christmas presents (even if the gifts later remained too well hidden in the bedroom closet and never again saw the light of day). She spoiled her children, their partners and grandchildren with enthusiasm and celebrated their many successes. She was constantly our "family glue" who taught us to keep in touch, love each other and forgive others their faults and annoying habits "'cuz God knows you've got your share of quirks, too, you know." Donna will be greatly missed by her sister, Carol; her children, Katie, Becky (and Rosemary), and Kevin (and Cathy); her two grandchildren, Conlon and Faye; her spoiled cats, Puff and Little Girl; and a community of close friends who looked out for her consistently and who she loved dearly. Everyone who remembers Donna fondly is asked to celebrate her life with a random act of kindness. Taking a friend out for coffee and a couple of doughnuts would be quite appropriate.

Previous Events