Donna Mae Brackney, 80, of Martensdale, Iowa passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, September 21 at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday October 25, 2026 at the Legacy Club House 600 Legacy Pkwy, Norwalk, IA 50211.

Donna was born on February 8, 1946, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Horace and Emma Webb. Donna graduated from East High School in 1964. Through mutual friends, she met the love of her life, Larry. The two married on June 10, 1972, in Des Moines. They honeymooned in Lake Tahoe, California, beginning a lifetime together filled with family, adventure, and memories.

Donna loved to travel and camp. Through the years, Donna and her family traveled from coast to coast. Her favorite destination was the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Donna spent approximately 30 years working in restaurant management at the Holiday Inn on Fleur Drive in Des Moines. Following the flood of 1993, she continued her career at the downtown Des Moines location. Donna also worked part time in the banquet hall at Embassy Suites, where she was able to put her artistic talents to work. She enjoyed setting up and decorating for special events and was especially well known for the beautiful candy bouquets she created.

Donna was best known for what happened when she walked into her kitchen. Cooking was one of her greatest joys. She loved watching cooking shows and then applying what she learned into her own recipes. Her homemade lasagna and sauce were favorites, and no meal was complete without her delicious chocolate chip cookies for dessert. And while she could create an impressive meal from scratch, Donna would also enjoy an occasional meal from Long John Silver’s.

Donna loved surrounding herself with family. She made birthdays into big celebrations and even turned opening presents into a fun little game, making sure everyone had a good time.

The holidays were especially meaningful to Donna. She loved celebrating Christmas with her family, and if you ever visited Donna’s home, you could almost guarantee that a Hallmark Christmas movie would be playing in the background.

In her spare time, Donna enjoyed movies, especially films starring Patrick Swayze, Mel Gibson, and Mark Wahlberg. She also had a special place in her heart for animals, raising several beloved dogs throughout her life.

Donna will be remembered for her generous heart, her creativity, her love of family, and the countless ways she tried to make someone else’s day better. She gave freely of herself and found joy in making others happy. Her warmth, laughter, cooking, holiday spirit, and loving presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Donna leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Donna is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry; her sons, Dion (Sheila) Brackney, David (Stephanie) Rouse, Donnie (Gail) Rouse; grandchildren, Dustin, Vincent, Tami, Weslie, Jaiden, Dillon, Christian; and great-granddaughter, Ava. She is preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Emma; daughter, DeAnne Curry; and sister, Sharon Liston.

Memorial contributions can be made in Donna’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.