Donna R. Ridenhour-McHenry

Donna R. Ridenhour-McHenry

Brandon

Donna R. Ridenhour-McHenry, 74, of rural Brandon, Iowa, died suddenly on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at her home after a lengthy battle with heart disease.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. to Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence with military honors.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at White Funeral Home, Independence. Visitation will continue for an hour before services Thursday at the funeral home.

Donna Rae Ridenhour was born Jan. 3, 1949, in Rolla, Mo., the daughter of Delmar Clarence Ridenhour and Betty Jean (Holt) Ridenhour. She graduated from Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Iowa, with the Class of 1967. She attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, and then began working in Ames, Iowa, for 3M in the Abrasives Systems Division. She eventually joined the United States Army and ended up serving multiple stints, including time during the Gulf War, finally retiring as a Sergeant. On Jan. 4, 1985, she married Thomas Joe McHenry at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in Newhall, Iowa, for a short time before moving to rural Brandon, where they raised their children. Donna continued to serve her country and often commuted to Fort McCoy, Wis., for drill weekends.

Donna liked to stay active. She liked playing volley and softball. She loved to play the piano, guitar, and sing. She would often play at churches and nursing homes throughout the Independence community. She also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, gardening, and working on the landscape at the farmhouse.

Donna is survived by her husband, Tom Ridenhour-McHenry of Brandon, Iowa; one son, Evan Ridenhour-McHenry of West Des Moines, Iowa; one daughter, Haley Crossland of Madison, Wis.; one brother, Keith (Becky) Ridenhour of Atlanta, Ga.; three sisters, Judy (Gary) Shepley of Cambridge, Iowa, Gloria (Dennis Lambert) Clark of Grand Haven, Mich., and Glenda French of Belle Plaine, Iowa. Her parents preceded her in death.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.