Donna Merle Meier

Donna Merle Dean Meier passed away peacefully on October 18, 2018, at the age of 86, at the Collier Hospice Center on the Lutheran Medical Center campus in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Donna was born on April 18, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa to Waldo Jerome Dean and Ruth Louise Gibson Dean. She attended Wallace Elementary School, Perkins Elementary School, and Roosevelt High School - all in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1950.

Donna went on after high school to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition in 1954 from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. While at Iowa State, Donna became a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority – Pi Chapter, and thoroughly enjoyed her time as an ADPi. After college, Donna travelled to Denver on the Rock Island railroad for a visit with one of her aunts and, much to her parent’s chagrin, decided to make Denver her new home. She worked at Safeway as a Store Hostess and bought her first car – a 1956 two-door Chevrolet Bel Air which she proudly named the “brown beast.”

Late in 1957 she met her future spouse, Wendelin Meier (originally from Minot, North Dakota), on a blind date, set up by friends, at the Lighthouse Bar at 13th and Marion in Denver where they shared a pitcher of beer. They did not have another date until New Year’s Eve of that year, but after that it was only six months until they decided to get married on July 20, 1958. A few precious friends and family were present at the ceremony at Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, and afterwards they honeymooned in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Donna and Wendel had two children – Scott born in 1961 and Kristin in 1968. They lived in various places during this time including Arvada, Colorado and Flushing, Michigan. They came back to Arvada in 1972 and purchased a family home. Donna worked in various occupations throughout her life including selling Avon, being a teacher’s aide at Fairmount Elementary for 13 years, working as a file clerk at Miller International and as a page at Standley Lake Library.

Donna was always highly involved in her church, community activities, service and social organizations throughout her life. Donna was a long-time member of Arvada United Methodist Church and participated in its fellowship and women’s circle groups. She was also a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter in Arvada and earned a 25-year membership pin. Later in life, Donna belonged to the Daughters of the Nile, El Mejdel Temple No. 47, and participated in their El Mejdel Singers group. Donna supported her children’s activities as an active member of the Arvada DeMolay Mother’s Club and by serving as a Girl Scout troop leader for numerous years. She enjoyed taking part in HEHC (home economists group) activities, as well as attending a monthly book club.

One of the great loves of her life was the Arvada Chorale. She sang with the Jefferson Civic Chorus, and then stayed on when that group transitioned into what would become the Arvada Chorale. She sang with the Chorale from 1977 – 2017 and was the last remaining charter member. Another great love of her life was her four grandchildren whom she doted upon, bragged about, drove around to various activities, provided copious amounts of babysitting for, loved having all to herself during vacation church school weeks, and spoiled rotten at Christmas and birthday times. Throughout her life Donna was highly engaged in what was happening at the local, state, and national levels of government. She volunteered for several local, state and national politicians and did the hard work of political canvassing – going door-to-door, marching in parades, and phone banking well into her 70s.

Donna is survived by her son Scott and his wife Melinda of Littleton, Colorado, her daughter Kristin and her husband Tim of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, four grandchildren – Jessica, Bradley, and Kendra Meier, and Alexander Leenerts, and by her cousins Elizabeth Goodwin of West Des Moines, Iowa and Lee Ball of Bismarck, North Dakota. Donna leaves behind a constant companion in Lewis the cat, named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis.

Preceding Donna in death is her husband Wendel Meier who passed away March 24, 1988. Donna will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado alongside Wendel.

Donna’s family wishes donations in her memory be made to The Arvada Chorale (www.arvadachorale.org ) and the American Lung Association.