:quality(70):focal(168x178:178x188)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/WFSROMQGYVC2BPZHLFH23GORJ4.jpg)
Donna M. Kearney, 74, of Newton, died Sunday, July 6, 2025, at her home in Newton. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will be present to greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Memorials to St. Mary’s Cemetery or Wesley Life Hospice can be left at the funeral home or at the church on the day of the service.
Donna, the daughter of Leonard and Laura (McDowell) Toopes, was born October 22, 1950, in Ottumwa. Donna lived in Ottumwa until her mid-teens, when her family moved to Lovilia. She graduated from Albia High School in 1969. Donna was united in marriage with Mike Kearney on September 12, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Weller. The couple made their home in Knoxville, and then in Lovilia, before moving to Newton in 1976. Donna stayed home to raise her children in their younger years. When they were older, she worked in various offices in Newton. Her last job, babysitting her grandsons Michael and Matthew, was by far her favorite job. Donna was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed reading, shopping for antiques, going on family vacations when her kids were younger, and going on regular outings with Mike once they were retired. She and Mike especially liked going to Branson, where they would find antique shops to visit on the way. Donna was very talkative and loved getting to know people. She adored her grandsons and loved when they visited her.
Donna is survived by her husband, Mike Kearney of Newton; her daughter, Amy (Duane) Peterson of Newton; her grandsons, Michael Peterson (Joe Orstad) of Des Moines and Matthew Peterson of Newton; her siblings: Lenny (Dee) Toopes, Bob Toopes, Carol Arnold, and Greg (Holly) Shelford; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Joe McGrath; her son, Michael Joseph Kearney; a brother, James Lee, in infancy; and her siblings-in-law, Chris Toopes and Steve Arnold.