August 16, 1930 - October 15, 2020
Donna Marie Schwalm passed away peacefully at her home on October 15, 2020.
Donna was born to Glen Curtis Maxson and Pearl Gladys Twiss Maxson on August 16, 1930 on the Maxson farm near Arnold, Nebraska.
The family relocated to Johnstown in 1945 and Donna graduated in 1948. She attended Colorado Teachers College in Greeley – now UNC - for a semester, and completed education certificates at Front Range Junior College in her later years. She worked as a telephone operator in Johnstown among the several jobs she held. She met her future husband at the Jitney Dances in Longmont. On November 12, 1950 she married Howard Schwalm at the Johnstown Evangelical United Brethren Church.
After her marriage, they farmed the Held farm in north Johnstown. In 1953, they welcomed daughter Carol to the family and later in 1957 another daughter, Ann. In the late 1950’s they moved once again to farm for Ray Amen and the family farming operation with Howard’s brother Calvin. Donna served her church as a Sunday School teacher and also helped whenever necessary in the farm operation. She also served as a bookkeeper for the farm equipment business Howard operated with his brother Ken, Schwalm Brothers Inc. Donna raised a garden most years, always bountiful, and cooked many meals for the farmers in the family and treated family members to the raspberries that grew in her garden.
Donna and Howard moved to Loveland in 1979 and were members at the First United Methodist Church as well as members of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, enjoying many antique and restored car tours with the club. Donna did volunteer work at her church and served on several committees and regularly helped with the activities at her church.
She was able to enjoy and be part of her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities. She could be found at basketball, baseball and volleyball games, and always helped to celebrate birthdays and special days with her family.
Donna is predeceased by her husband, Howard in 1992. She is survived by her sisters Carol Rudolph Harpur and Linda Houck. Also left to remember Donna are her children Ann Schwalm and Carol (Rick) Podtburg; grandchildren Eric (Sandy) Podtburg, Greg (Stephanie) Podtburg, Marcus (Andrea) Podtburg and Wade Podtburg; her great grandchildren Brooke (Derek) Papstein, Taylour, Christopher, Cayden, Kaya, Eryn, Haylee, Sloane, Alyssa and Reece Podtburg and great-great granddaughter Bella Papstein. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Our deepest thanks to Suncrest Hospice of Colorado and Visiting Angels for the loving care Donna received, we are eternally grateful. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home. Donna believed strongly that no one should ever go hungry.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, October 26, 2020 at Grace Community Church in Johnstown. Visitation one hour prior to service at the church. Interment Johnstown Cemetery
