Donna Rae Thacker, 85, of Mount Pleasant, IA passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 22, 2025,at her home. A funeral service to honor her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26,2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Chaplin Don Combs officiating. Burialwill be in the Oakland Mills Cemetery near Mount Pleasant. Memorial contributions in Donna’s honormay be directed to Hospice Compassus and mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189,Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Donna Rae Thacker was born on August 4, 1940, in Des Moines, IA, to Howard and Zora Fauble Swain.Donna spent her early years in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she attended school and graduated with the Abraham Lincoln High School Class of 1959.Soon after graduation, Donna married the love of her life, Marvin Thacker.
Together, they built a loving family and became proud parents to two children: Marvin Jr. and Teri. Donna embraced her role as a devoted mother and homemaker, creating a warm and welcoming home where her children’s friends always felt invited—thanks, in part, to her delicious home–baked treats, always fresh from the oven.Throughout their life together, Donna and Marvin lived in several different locations, including Council Bluffs, Fairfield, IA, Stratton, NB, and Mount Pleasant, Iowa, as they traveled for Marvin’s work. Donna’s commitment to learning led her to further her education; she earned her LPN and worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, NE before starting her family. Later in life, while residing in Stratton, NE, Donna returned to school and obtained her associate’s degree in psychology.
Donna’s proudest accomplishments were her roles as a loving wife and mother. She was Marvin Sr.’s steadfast companion, journeying with him wherever his work would take them. Donna also found time to contribute to her community as an active member of the “Welcome Wagon” organization, greeting new families to town, and she spent several years as an AVON saleswoman.A gifted writer, Donna penned short stories and poems, with some of her works reaching publication.Her creativity, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family touched the lives of many. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.Donna was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Howard Lynn Swain.
Left to honor her memory is her husband of 65 years, Marvin Thacker Sr. of Mount Pleasant, IA; her two children, Marvin Jr. (Tina Trump) of Libertyville, IA and Teri (Matt) Zeitler of Douds, IA, as well as many cherished grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.