Donna J. Kinney

Donna J. Kinney, 93, of Winthrop, Iowa, died Friday, November 6, 2026, following a short illness, at MercyOne Medical Center Waterloo, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M., Thursday, November 12, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop, Iowa, with Reverend David Beckman officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home in Winthrop, and from 9:00 to 10:00 Thursday morning at the funeral home.
Rosary: 4:00 P.M., Wednesday at the funeral home
Parish Scripture Service: 7:00 P.M., Wednesday at the funeral home.
Interment: St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Winthrop, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Care Initiatives Hospice.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Donna Jean Conrad was born on August 25, 1933, in Winthrop, Iowa, the daughter of Maurice Eslick and Agnes Annie (Brown) Conrad. She graduated from Winthrop High School as class Valedictorian in 1950. Donna was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Leonidas Kinney on October 10, 1950, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop, Iowa. They made their home on the family farm South of Winthrop. To this union four children were born: Carolyn, Rick, Jeff, and David. She was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother first and foremost but worked for various businesses around the Winthrop community. Those businesses included: her father’s Texaco Station (pumping gas and selling bus tickets), Winthrop Telephone Office, Dr. Mayner’s Office, St. Patrick Catholic Church, and Quamaco.

Donna was a lifelong resident of the Winthrop Community and following Dick’s death in 2012, she was very proud that she was able to remain on the family farm until the end of her life.

She was an avid gardener, closing out her garden this year having donated over 450 pounds of fresh produce to the Independence Area Food Pantry. Donna loved baking, canning, and spending her winters putting together puzzles and being with close family and friends.

She was an active member and volunteer of the St. Patrick Parish in Winthrop, local blood drives, American Legion Woman’s Auxiliary, Winthrop C & C Club, Buchanan County Election Committee, 4-H Leader, Cub Scout Leader, East Buchanan PTA, and was Winthrop Citizen of the Year in 2010.

She is survived by her 4 children: Carolyn Kinney of Winthrop, Rick (Coralie) Kinney of Winthrop, Jeff (Jennifer) Kinney of Winthrop, and David (Shelly) Kinney of Hiawatha; 3 grandchildren: Kristan (Trevor) McGill of Jesup, Victoria (Austin) Hartman of Cedar Rapids, and Johnathan (Casie) Kinney of Cedar Rapids; 3 great grandchildren: Kinlee & Maevry McGill and Maisie Hartman; and numerous nieces and nephews she loved catching up with and who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her siblings.