Obituary of Donna M. Cannon

Donna M. Cannon, 87 of Reinbeck, Iowa died Sunday, July 16, 2017, at The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County with her family by her side.

Per Donna’s wishes there will be no funeral. Instead we will have a Celebration of Life service on Sunday August 6th at 11:30 am The United Church of Christ Union in Reinbeck. Burial will be The Lone Tree Cemetery. Please, no flowers-we have allergies! Instead consider a donation to the UCCU church, The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County or Boy Scout Troop 250 so they may purchase a bigger trailer for their growing troop.  For a more complete obituary, an opportunity to share a thought, memory or condolences please go to the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Donna Cannon was born February 10, 1930 to Doris and John Mullinnix. She met her husband, Homer while attending Washington High School. Donna was united in marriage to Homer in November 17, 1948 in Kahoka, Missouri and they built their home in Reinbeck, IA. After High School Homer joined the Navy and went eventually off to the Korean War. While Homer was in the Navy, Donna attended Cosmetology School in Iowa City. After graduating from cosmetology school, she opened a beauty salon. Then she opened a few more! At one point, she owned a salon in Reinbeck, Grundy Center, Marshalltown and co-owned salons in Waterloo, and Cedar Falls all at the same time. Back then it was rare for a woman to own her own business, let alone several of them and she was proud of it! Donna worked hard for many years making women beautiful!

In her spare time (not that she had much of it) she liked meeting with her Stock Club group, traveling with her family, sightseeing and people watching. In her later years, she looked forward to Sundays at Church and Wednesday Worship. She was especially fond of the Easter and Christmas services.

In October of 1968, Donna and Homer were blessed with a son, Douglas which led to her joining the PTA and becoming a Cub Scout leader. Donna had a happy life with Homer and Douglas in Reinbeck. They worked hard in Reinbeck and occasionally took trips to Florida. In 2001 Douglas married Kim and her grandson, James was born.  He was the light of her life. She was very proud of her grandson’s accomplishments in school, life and Scouting. Her last gift to him was paying a trip to the National Scout Jamboree-an event only occurring once every 4 years. James was scheduled to leave on July 16th at 8pm.

Donna spent the last few weeks of her life at The Bird House. It is a hospice home located in Iowa City on a beautiful wooded lot. Even while being a very sick lady, Donna made new friends at The Bird House. She liked to have a little Bailey’s in her coffee in the morning and chat with the staff while eating bacon for breakfast! Later in the day we would find her sitting outside on their screened in porch enjoying the beauty of the nature around her. We are forever grateful for the care The Bird House and their staff provided. We could be with her in the home like setting which made her transition much easier.  In the early morning hours of July 16, 2017 Donna passed away surrounded by her son, Douglas and Daughter in Law, Kim.

Donna is survived by her son, Doug, his wife, Kim and their son James. She is also survived by her lifelong friend Fred with whom she spent her last few years traveling and spending time with after Homer’s death on March 14, 2010. He helped fill the void that Homer left when he passed away. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Rudy.

We would like to thank The Bird House for providing kind, compassionate care in their beautiful house.  We also would like to thank Susie and Donna for their advice, Sandy, Kim’s mom, Mary Ann, Barb, Ron, Tim and Jackie for visiting. We know it was tough to visit. Thank you!