Donna Louise (Bernhard) Judkins

Donna was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 17, 1929, to Fred C. Bernhard (1895) and Florence (Batchelor) Bernhard (1894). She grew up with her sister, Betty Jean, and brother, Robert. Donna graduated from North High School in January 1947 and began working at Bankers Life Company that year.

In January 1948, Donna met Jack Judkins at the local skating rink. They became engaged on March 17, 1950, and married on September 3, 1950. Donna left Bankers Life in October 1950 and went to Colorado Springs while Jack was called back to service as a reservist. In January 1951, she began working for the Des Moines and Central Iowa Railway. Donna left the railway in June 1956 while expecting their first child. Their family grew to include Mark, Karen, and Wayne.

The family moved several times in Iowa as Jack’s work changed. They lived in Ottumwa before returning to Des Moines, where Jack became a service manager for Remington Rand. After Karen was born in 1962, Donna and Jack moved to Bettendorf after partnering in the purchase and operation of a Remington Rand dealership in Davenport. They lived in Bettendorf for about three years before making their home in Davenport.

In 1976, Jack and Donna partnered to purchase Rock Island Typewriter Company. They later solely owned and operated the company themselves. Donna and Jack retired in September 1989.

Leech Lake, MN was a cherished part of Donna’s life from childhood into her late 80s. She first went there as a child and continued spending summers on the lake in Walker. She made Leech Lake a central part of family life, too. Her children and grandchildren grew up sharing those summers—a treasured tradition built around gathering, enjoying the lake, and returning to a place Donna had loved since childhood. When it came to fishing, Donna was always ready to prove she could outfish everyone for Northern Pike and Walleye.

In 2024, Donna moved from Davenport to Grandhaven Retirement Home in Eldridge. She truly enjoyed her time there and made many new friends.

Donna was generous with her time and talents. She often volunteered for the PTA while her children were growing up. She also helped make hundreds of quilts for people experiencing homelessness, sharing warmth and comfort with others.

Donna’s quilting reflected her artistry and meticulous attention to detail. She hand-quilted more than 50 quilts, each one carefully crafted. Every quilt was supposed to be her last—but somehow, she always made another mostly after the nudging of family.

Donna is survived by her children, Mark Judkins, Karen (Bob) Lovewell, and Wayne (Theresa) Judkins. Her grandchildren and their families include Patrick (Jessica) Judkins and their children Jackson, Hadley, and Crosby; Erin Judkins Sturm and her children Corbin and Jameson; Gary (Missy) Lovewell and their children Shelby and Harrison; Trish (Blaine) Versaw and their children Paxton and Vance; and Blake and Blain Judkins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack (July 20, 2000), and her daughter-in-law, Stephanie (February 18, 2025).

The family asks that you refrain from sending flowers or plants and from making donations. If you feel you must contribute, please use the link in the donations section to support the reconstruction of the Tower at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.