The funeral mass for Della C. Donovan will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2011 at The Church of St. John the Evangelist.  Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2011 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one half hour prior to services at the church.

Della C. Donovan, 88 passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at her home at Meadow Lakes Assisted Living in Rochester, MN.

Della was the oldest of 5 children born to John and Vernie Griffin in Spring Grove, MN.  She grew up on a farm near Dorchester, Iowa.  She graduated from Waukon Iowa High School.  She also attended beauty college in Watertown, South Dakota.

In 1945, she married George Donovan at Queen of Angels Church in Austin, MN.  In their early years, Della and George owned and operated the "Park Lane Drive Inn" in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Della later operated "Della's Beauty Shop" in Brownsdale, MN.  Della and George started their family in Clear Lake, Iowa. They later moved to Blue Earth, MN before finally moving to Rochester in 1963.

Della was active for many years in a women's circle at St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church.  She was involved in many of her children's school activities including scouting.  Della was a devoted Twins fan and rarely missed a game.  After the children were older, Della worked at K-Mart, which she enjoyed for many years. Della will be remembered by family and friends for her "Dellaisms", great cooking, sewing and playing 500.  Though Della never had many worldly goods, she always gave of what she had.

Della was preceded in death by her parents, John and Vernie Griffin, George Donovan; sister, Gen Lageson; brother, Greg Griffin and granddaughter Kelly Kacheroski.  She is survived by her brother, Jack (Hope) Griffin and sister, Karen (Dean) Drew. Her 8 children include, Pat Lounsbury, JoAnn (Raymond) Donovan-Connoy, Mary Lou Donovan, Monica (Bob) Milbrandt, Teresa Donovan (Tom Kacheroski), Dan (Betsy) Donovan, Don (Juli) Donovan, Brian (Lori) Donovan.  Her grandchildren are Andy, Katy, Megan, Tim, Dan (Renae), Erin (Matt), Christopher (Erin), Michael, Jenna, Paul, Bridgett, Collin, Ashli, Joshua, Trevor, Claire, Margaret and great grandson, Ben.

We want to express our appreciation to the staff at Meadow Lakes for the kindness, patience and caring over the 11 years she lived there.  The family would also like to thank Season's Hospice for all the understanding and compassion that was shown to Della and her family during this difficult time.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com