She was born December 31, 1926, in Rutland, Iowa; the only child of the late Earl and Pearl Knieriem. She graduated from The American Institute of Business in 1946. She married the late Wendell James (Jim) Brown, Jr. on September 1, 1957, in Des Moines and is survived by their three children: Heather Frenette of Gilbert, Arizona; Linda Enerson of Johnston, Iowa and William Brown of Southampton, New York; and five grandchildren: Alexander Frenette, Audrey and Noah Enerson, and Madeline and Emma Brown.
She was active in her community, worked closely with the late architect and historian Bill Wagner on many historical restoration projects throughout Iowa and managed several small businesses aiding law enforcement and emergency response units.
Donna worshiped at First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines and a memorial service will be held there on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. She will be cremated and her ashes spread over the farm in Humboldt, Iowa where she was raised. The family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Iowa Chapter in lieu of flowers.
