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Donna Lee (Fitch) Holstein was born in Herman, Neb., on March 28, 1929, to Clyde Fitch and Amelia (Miller) Fitch. She left us on June 8, 2025, at the age of 96, while in hospice at Accura Healthcare in Aurelia.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In Donna’s early years her father passed away and her mother was remarried to Ed Hovendick. She had two brothers, Clyde Fitch and George (Joe) Fitch, as well as a sister, Frances Beard.
Donna attended school in Herman and graduated with the class of 1946. During her senior year she was elected as class president and earned the honor of being salutatorian of her graduating class. Her first employment after high school was with the Washington County clerk’s office.
She met Donald K. Holstein, recently discharged from three years of service in the Army during World War II, and they were married on Jan. 17, 1948, in Blair, Neb. To this union they were blessed with three children, Donald Jeffrey, Dawn Janell and Jodi Kay.
Donna had numerous jobs during her lifetime. Besides being a mom, she also worked at home as a bookkeeper for Don’s trucking company as well as his fuel service business, Buena Vista County Courthouse, Fritcher Abstract, and Penny’s. They made their home in Blair before moving to Alta. Upon retiring they also made their home in Phoenix, Peoria and Mesa, Ariz., as well as Blair, before finally settling back in Alta.
As a couple they enjoyed attending numerous sporting events and school activities that their children were involved in. During these outings they made many friends that would become lifelong friends which led to their involvement in attending dances, card club, picnics by the lake, potlucks, dining out and celebrating the groups special occasions such as birthdays, marriages, graduations and baby births. Once gambling became legal in Iowa there were numerous trips to the casino.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Donald K; infant daughter Dawn Janell; daughter Jodi K; and son Donald Jeffrey; and numerous brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and her parents.
She is survived by her son-in-law John Chirinos; granddaughter Jana Chirinos; and great-grandson Linkyn Summers. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Patsy Holstein and granddaughter Ashley Holstein; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She also leaves behind her special companion Willard Schmidt.
