Donna Jeanne (Abbott) Cahalan was born to Donald and Aurilla Abbott on November 17, 1927 in Clarinda, IA. She passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
Donna and her family moved to Mallard as a young child, then to Mason City in 1940 at age 14. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1945 and from Mason City Junior College in 1947.
Donna married James G. “Jerry” Cahalan at Holy Family Catholic Church on November 10, 1947. To this union 8 children were born, three daughters and five sons. Donna was an excellent mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Jerry passed away on February 22, 1966. In November of 1983 Donna married John J. Cahalan at Holy Family Catholic Church. John passed away on January 22, 1992.
Donna is survived by her children, Mary Ann (Tom) Trezona, Barb (Gary) Reynolds, Diane (Scot) Kruckenberg, Jim Cahalan, Dan (Jackie) Cahalan, and John Cahalan; grandchildren, Tony, Marc, Rob, Jerry, Angie, Dan, Hunter, Andy, Amy, Jake, Erin, Kalyn, Katie, Kelsey, and Courtney; and many beloved great grandchildren; brother in law, Adrian Ferriera and sister in law, Marly Abbott.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jerry Cahalan and John Cahalan; sons, Michael and Fred Cahalan; brothers, Donald and Norman; sisters, Anita and Lennice; in laws, Fred and Leocadia Cahalan; grandson, Ben Schmitt; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am, Thursday April 3, 2025 at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th St SE, Mason City, with the Rev. Ben Valentine as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Elmwood- St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 2, from 4 pm until 6 pm at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 pm.
Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Donna’s honor to Newman Catholic Schools or Epiphany Parish.
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