Parnell J. Donlan

Parnell J. Donlan, age 85, of Decorah, Iowa, died Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 18, 2006 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen with burial in Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Friday in the Fireside Room of First Lutheran Church in Decorah and an hour prior to the services Saturday, also at the church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of the arrangements. Parnell James Donlan was born July 10, 1920 in Austin, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Josephine (Neubauer) Donlan. He was baptized in Austin, MN. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Kathleen Haugen on June 12, 1941 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by the Rev. T.A. Hoff. To this union, four children were born: Kay, Jerome, Dale and Marjorie. Parnell farmed for many years, beginning on his home farm in Bluffton and later near Decorah. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Parnell and Elizabeth enjoyed traveling to the western United States every summer for many years for a vacation. He loved country music and in his youth Parnell enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He loved the outdoors, especially boating and snowmobiling. He also liked to watch his sons racing stock cars. Parnell became a resident of the Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah on February 6, 2006. He died at the Care Facility on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at the age of 85 years. Survivors include two daughters, Kay (Adrian) Strand of Decorah, IA and Marjorie (Curt) Berge of Lexington, KY; a son, Jerome “Jerry” (Kay) Donlan of Calmar, IA; twelve grandchildren, Kathryn (Alan) Lechtenberg, Kimberly (Tom) Malanaphy, Bobbi (Josh) Soga, Jeremy (Kelly) Wemark, Adam Strand, Rene’ Donlan, Nicole Donlan, Danny (Michelle) Donlan, Darin Donlan, Deon (Tracy) Donlan, Keri (Bill) Smith and Jason (Aaron) Berge; eight great-grandchildren, Justin Lechtenberg, Brennan and Emma Malanaphy, Sam Donlan, Dominique Kopp, Diana and Lindsey Smith and Tyler Berge; a sister, Shirley Christopher of Bluffton, IA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Parnell was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Albert Hruska; his wife, Elizabeth on February 21, 1998; a son, Dale on October 23, 1988; a brother, LaVerne Donlan and a half sister, Alberta Hruska.