Donna Ahart

Donna Mae (Kahl) Ahart was born on January 3, 1936 on the family farm in Washington Township. Donna was the fourth child of Herman and Hattie (Boger) Kahl. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison on April 5, 1936, the same day as her oldest sister Dorothy was confirmed. Donna was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buck Grove and was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. She joined the Lord on January 17, 2026, at the age of 90. 

Donna attended country school and graduated from Denison High School in 1954. On April 15, 1956, she was united in marriage with Robert Gail Ahart at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buck Grove, Iowa. The couple settled on an acreage near Denison and were blessed with the birth of three daughters. 

She worked at World Wide Meats for 20 years until the plant closed. In later years she worked as a cook at Denison Middle School. Donna was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed visiting with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting and flower gardening, especially her irises. During her retirement years Donna could be found in conversation while enjoying a cup of coffee with her friends. She especially enjoyed her time at the Senior Center where she spent many hours visiting and enjoying meals. Donna was an avid historian diligently documenting family events and genealogy. 

Donna is preceded in death by her husband in 2003; her parents; 3 sisters: Irene, Dorothy, and Norma; and 2 brothers: Herman Jr., and Earl.

She is survived by her daughters: Michelle (Brad) Barta of Sioux Falls; Lisa (Steve) Ulmer of Arion; Karen (Gerald) Kennedy of Schleswig; five granddaughters: Ashley (Justin) Luetgers, Brittany (Aaron) Deming, Kelsey (Clark) Brasel, Kortney (Lance) Test, Emma Kennedy; and nine great grandchildren Brayden and Micah Luetgers, Sloan, Coen and Wells Deming, Lucas and William Brasel, Braxton and Grant Test; brother-in-law Arlyn Schulz, sister-in-law Dorothy Kahl, other relatives and friends.

Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Interment will follow in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens. The family will direct memorials.