Donna (Warner) Hamilton

Donna Rae (Warner) Hamilton, age 84, of Williamsburg, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Donna was born on September 29, 1941, to Corwin and Myrtle Warner. She grew up on a farm near Altoona, Iowa, attended Altoona schools, and graduated from Mitchellville High School in 1959. She went on to attend Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Clothing in August 1963.

Following graduation, Donna began her career with Younkers, where she completed a Retail Store Operations course through the Younkers Education Department in May 1964. She loved her work as a merchandise buyer, which gave her the opportunity to travel both overseas and throughout the United States. She was the first Younkers buyer to be sent on a worldwide buying trip for the Younkers chain. In 1983, she was recognized as a member of the Younkers 20-Year Club and retired several years later to care for her mother, Myrtle.

While at Iowa State, Donna met the love of her life, James W. Hamilton. The two were married on December 9, 1966, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Des Moines. In 1974, they purchased a cabin at Holiday Lake near Brooklyn, Iowa—a place that quickly became their cherished retreat. After retiring, they made it their full-time home until in later years, they spent winters in the Fulton/Rockport area of Texas.

Donna and Jim were devoted Iowa State fans and shared a love of reading—Donna especially enjoyed the novels of Danielle Steel. She also loved her dogs, traveling, camping, quilting, and sewing. In Texas they delighted in learning line dancing together.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Corwin and Myrtle Warner, and her beloved husband, James Hamilton. She is survived by her cousins Richard (Phyllis) McKean and Mary Jane Hoff, her siblings-in-law, John Hamilton, Mary Juliano, Arthur (Lori) Hamilton, and Annice (John) Thacker, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Snyder-Hollenbaugh Funeral Home in Wapello, Iowa. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Briggs Center in Wapello until 1:30 p.m. A short graveside interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Wapello Cemetery.

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