Donna L. Legler

Donna Lou Legler, 79, of Altoona, Iowa, formerly Clear Lake, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at the Altoona Nursing Home. Her going home on Valentine’s Day is a reflection of her big heart, her love of pink, chocolate and jewelry.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at the Clear Lake Christian Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Drew Rietjens officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Family suggests memorials to Clear Lake Christian Church or Altoona Nursing Home in Memory of Donna.

Donna was born June 6, 1936, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Lester and Leila (Oleson) Moretz.  She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1954.

She married Robert Herman Legler on May 15, 1955, in Clear Lake.  They lived in Clear Lake where they raised their children the majority of their childhood.  They moved to New Ulm, Minn. in 1974, to Savage, Minn. in 1977, and later moved back home to Clear Lake.

She found her passion for jewelry while working at Powers Fine Jewelry, Burnsville, Minn. and then Patterson’s Jewelry in Clear Lake.

Donna’s greatest joy was her love of Christ which she found in her church and spending time with her family, both of which brought much happiness to her life. She enjoyed spending time around the lake, listening to music, Bible studies, baking, collecting miniatures of all kinds and playing board games with her family and friends.

Donna is survived by her three children, Vona (Patrick) Kean, Des Moines, Iowa, Robert (Becka) Legler, Lakeville, Minn. and Revena Legler, St. Paul, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Nathan Legler (and his fiancé, Nicole) Betsy (Aaron) Rohr, Nicholas  (Rachel) Legler, Katie (Jonathan) Kinrade, Andrew Legler (and his fiancée, Nichole), Thomas Miller, Trae Legler, and Corbin Legler; 10 great-grandchildren, Ellie, Alex and Landen Rohr, Nikko, Layla and Bella Legler, Andrew Jr., Nevaeh, Ava and Eva Legler; one sister, Loreen (Dave) Gagnon, Minnesota; and her special friend, Ray Mejiah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Leila; infant daughter, Carol; three brothers, Maynard, Delmer and Hubert Moretz; and one sister, Revena Collins.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.