Funeral Mass for Marsha Donohue, 73, of St. Marys, who passed away Thursday, August 22, 2024 at home, will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 27, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Burial will follow in the St. Marys Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, August 26, at the St. Mary's Hall, where family will be present to greet friends. Reciting of the Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

Marsha Lorraine Mason was born on April 7, 1951, in Iowa City to Chiles and Ethel Mason. She grew up in Iowa City and Solon as the youngest of five children, and after graduating from high school she worked at the University of Iowa Medical Laboratories. Marsha was a proud aunt during that time in her life, while spending much time with her sisters' families, and loved her young nieces and nephews as if they were her own.

She met her future husband, James Donohue, at a dance hall in Swisher, Iowa, and they married on November 27th, 1971 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon. It was at this time they moved to the Martensdale St. Marys area for Jim's teaching job and they became members of this beloved community. It was also during this time that Marsha taught Jim how to fish, sparking his lifelong love of the sport and the realization he had already made the greatest catch of his life.

Marsha did administrative work for a variety of businesses from 1971-1980 before beginning the job in 1986 at Heartland AEA that she would eventually retire from in 2013. Although she loved her job and her co-workers, her most rewarding career was Mom, and eventually Grandma.

Marsha was dedicated to the lifestyle of raising a family as a coach's wife. Whether she was toting three little kids to the baseball diamond in the summer or to the gym in the winter for basketball games, she always made things run smoothly for her family. Once her kids got older and were in sports/activities of their own, she made going four different directions look easy. She took so much pride and joy in being involved and spending time with friends in the bleachers.

Lovingly referred to as Momma D by her children's friends, Marsha was known to provide the best snacks and atmosphere for the loved ones gathered in her home. She loved her morning tea, cooking and grilling for her family, spending time with her eight grandkids, watching Royals and Cardinal baseball games, walking with her best friend, Marla Roush, and laughing with her St. Marys' Sisters.

Marsha is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Courtney (Paul) Vonnahme, Allyson (Adam) Sawatzke, and Jeremy (PJ) Donohue; grandchildren Oliver, Evelyn, Henry, and Alice Vonnahme, and Ayden, Wesley, Astrid, and Catherine Donohue; siblings, Billy (Karol) Mason, Juanita Mason, and Mary (Steve) Clark; and many other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Chiles and Ethel Mason, sister Carolyn Louvar, nieces Stephanie Clark and Meagan Russell, and great-nephew Grant Colbert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a contribution at a later date.