Donna Jean Mitchell, 81, of Bettendorf, and formerly of Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. A visitation will be held at 9:30 am on Monday, August 31, at the St. Joan of Arc Parish, Vianney Campus in Bettendorf. A funeral Mass will follow at 11am. An inurnment is planned for 1:30 pm on Tuesday, September 1, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Donna Jean Frick was born July 24, 1945, in Dubuque, Iowa, a daughter of Arthur Frick and Sara McKernan Frick. She graduated from Wahlert High School in 1963, and spent most of her professional career as a bookkeeper at AEGON (now Transamerica) in Cedar Rapids. Located only 5 minutes from her house, her job gave her the flexibility to manage her household while working full-time.

Donna was united in marriage to Michael Patrick Mitchell on December 29, 1972, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dubuque, just across the street from her childhood home. The two shared nearly 50 beautiful years of marriage before his passing in 2022. Donna and Mike had one child, daughter Michelle Lynn, who was the joy of their lives. Donna spent countless hours at swim lessons, dance lessons, basketball camps, and in Czech Village for accordion lessons during Michelle’s early years. That time was eventually replaced by any activity she could do with or while supporting her three grandsons.

An avid sports fan, Donna especially liked college football (go Cyclones!), college basketball, and NASCAR. She and Mike held season tickets to Iowa women’s basketball for decades, enjoying the sport long before the sold-out arenas of recent years. She was most happy close to home, possibly why she didn’t get her driver’s license until well into her 20s, but especially enjoyed exploring the New England area when newly married, visiting Hawaii for her 25th wedding anniversary, and time spent at Frentress Lake with her parents and siblings as a child.

Donna had a signature smile right up to the very end. While health challenges made her later years difficult, she never complained. She modeled inner strength and perseverance each and every day, and brought joy to her family she loved so dearly. She is finally at peace and reunited with Mike in heaven.

Donna’s family was her everything. Those left to honor her memory include her daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Cory St. Germain; her three cherished grandsons, Easton, Mitchell, and Rowan St. Germain, all of Bettendorf; sisters Kay (Denny) Pfeiffer of Dubuque and Pat (Steve) Wehrle of Iowa City, brother Larry (Diane Theisen) Frick of Dubuque, Godson Doug (Lizzie) Pfeiffer of Oswego, IL, and numerous Frick and Mitchell extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, sister Sally Frick, and sister-in-law Deanna Mitchell.

Donna's family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff and residents at The Fountains of Bettendorf for the care, friendship, and community offered to Donna over the last four years. Also a big thank you to the staff at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for their compassionate care of Donna in her final weeks.

Memorials may be directed to the Activities Department at The Fountains Senior Living and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Please share a memory of Donna at www.hmdfuneralhome.com