Danielle Dee Davis Hamilton

Danielle Dee Davis Hamilton, 79, (“Danne”) was born Aug. 29, 1939, in Omaha, Neb., to Marvin Ray Davis and Gladyce Lucille Radcliffe Davis. An only child, she lived with her parents in several places, including Omaha and Kansas City, and attended schools in Des Moines, where she was graduated from Roosevelt High School, class of 1957. Danne attended the University of Iowa, where she met the love of her life, (Carl) Porter Hamilton of Hamburg. She and Porter were married April 23, 1960, and just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

She was always proud of her role in helping Porter through dental school by working in glaucoma research at University of Iowa. After graduation from dental school, she and Porter, with their 2-year-old daughter Kristin and soon-to-be-born twins Randy and Rebecca, reported for active duty with the U.S. Navy in Portsmouth, Va. Danne enjoyed being a Navy wife, and they made many long-time friends. After two years of active duty, they moved back to Newton, where Porter has practiced dentistry for 52 years.

Danne enjoyed devoting time to many organizations including T.T.T., Beta Sigma Pi, Gamma Phi Beta, Questers, Theta Chi, multiple bridge clubs, DMACC Friends of the French Chefs, Terrace Hill Foundation and Newton YMCA Board, serving as head of the fundraising volunteers in 1976. She loved collecting and teaching antiques and especially loved her collection of vintage holiday decorations. She was a born hostess and knew how to throw a memorable party. Witty and occasionally irreverent, all who knew Danne will miss the sparkle in her smile and the twinkle in her eye.

Danne passed away Thursday afternoon, June 6, 2019, at MercyOne Main in Des Moines. Danne will be missed by her husband, Porter; daughter, Kristin Hamilton Johnson (Eric) of Clive; son, Randall Hamilton (Bruce Hughes) of Des Moines; daughter, Rebecca Hamilton Furlong (Michael) of Leawood, Kan.; grandsons, Scott Hamilton Johnson of Washington, D.C., Matthew Carl Johnson of Iowa City, Todd Davis Johnson of Iowa City, Porter Dugan Furlong of Leawood, Kan.; granddaughters, Caitrin Rae Furlong of Leawood, Kan., and Sidney Danielle Furlong of Leawood, Kan.; and many for whom she was their “other mother.” She is preceded in death by her parents.

A time of remembrance and celebration of life will begin 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 14 at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, has been entrusted with the arrangements. A time of fellowship and lunch will follow the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to T.T.T. Iowa Chapter D., Danielle’s family or to a charity of your choosing. Burial will be at Okoboji at a later date.

Online condolences may be left for the family at pencefh.com.