Donna Specht, 89, of Milford, formerly of rural Cherokee, passed away on July 13, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Milford.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at Boothby Funeral Home, the Greenwood-Schubert Chapel at 216 S. 2nd Street in Cherokee. Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be at 10 a.m. prior to the services. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
LaDonna Specht, born Georgie Rosemary Frye, entered the world on July 9, 1937, in a houseboat on the Mississippi River near Clayton. She was the daughter of George and Marguerite Frye. After her parents were no longer able to care for them, Donna and her four brothers were orphaned. She was adopted by Pastor Julius Bauer of Kingsley, where she grew up and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1956.
Following graduation, Donna began working at a hospital, where she trained as a phlebotomist and EKG technician. She later worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and assisted the activities director at a local nursing home. Throughout her career, she balanced her work while raising five children and helping her husband operate their businesses, The Country Kitchen and Caravan Motel. She also worked at IBP and Bil Mar Foods in Storm Lake.
Donna was a gifted writer, poet and artist. She found joy in drawing and writing, and one of her songs was professionally recorded and published by a musical artist—a testament to her creative spirit and talent.
She met the love of her life, James Francis Specht of Cherokee at Spielman's Skating Rink. The two married and built a life centered on family, faith and hard work.
Donna is lovingly survived by her children: Tammy Baker of Meriden; Teresa (Terri) Specht of Colorado Springs; John Specht of Cherokee; Linda Specht of Cherokee; and Nancie Heithus (Brian) of Milford. She also leaves behind 12 cherished grandchildren: John Green, Amber Riordan, Crystal Baker, Jesse Specht, Sunshine Gruber, Dakota Brown, Michael Specht, Joshua Specht, Benjamin Specht, Brandon Heithus, Heather Harmon and Savannah Heithus; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James “Jim” Specht; her brothers: Jim, Bob, Paul and Ted; her niece Jacqueline; and her nephew David.
Donna peacefully entered God’s loving arms at Accura HealthCare of Milford, surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her unwavering love, strength, creativity and the kindness she shared with everyone whose lives she touched.
