Lois Rose (Kurt) Donovan, 95, formerly of Bernard, IA, died Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Accura Healthcare of Cascade.  Family and friends may visit on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Garryowen, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Osterhaus officiating and Deacon Joe Schockemoehl will be assisting.  Following the mass, burial will be in the church cemetery.

Lois was born April 5, 1930, daughter of John G. and Ella (Moorman) Kurt the 5th child of 12.  She was a life-long member of St. Patrick’s Church, Garryowen and the last surviving member of the St. Patrick’s Class of 1948.  She married John C. (J.C.) Donovan  on September 29, 1953.  J.C. passed away on June 9, 1990.  They welcomed and raised three children, Joanne, Judy and Mike.

After graduation, she worked helping new mothers with their children.  After raising her children, she was a short order cook at the Twelve Mile House until its closing and took great pride in her cooking abilities.  Afterwards, she provided daycare for a couple of families in her home in Bernard.

Lois loved to take care of her flower beds and gardening, enjoying the outdoors.  She loved to cook and bake – she always had goodies available for anyone who stopped in for a visit.  Her chicken was a favorite treat for all of our family Christmases.

She is survived by her children JoAnne Gassman and Judy (Merlin) Coyle both of Bernard and Mike Donovan of Cascade.  Her pride and joy her eight grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Kane, Angie (Steve) Gravel, Tom (Kristi) Coyle, Mike (Gina) Gassman, Lisa (Brad) Boffeli, Jill (Ben) Knepper, Kerri (Blaine) Noonan, and Sam Donovan.  Step grandchildren, Ryan and Emily Gravel, Maggie and Cody Kilburg, Jared and Emily Gravel, and Sadie and Wade Gerlach.  She was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren, Ella, Emily and Grace Kane, Connor (Cambrie Schute), Caden, Landon and Owen Coyle, Lauren, Cara and Cecelia and Adrienne Boffeli, Carter Gravel, Lucy and Zoe Gassman, Eli, Cade and Mae Knepper, Ridley and Ryder Noonan, step great-grandchildren, Willa, Maggi, and Cooper Kilberg; and Kollyns Gravel; her brothers and their spouses, Earl and Louetta Kurt, Tom and Rita Kurt, and Pete and Mary Jane Kurt, and a special niece and her family, Trish and Artie Driscoll, Laura and Eric Maiwald and Brian and Liana Driscoll.

She was Preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, Dave Gassman, her parents; her siblings and their spouses, Germaine and Harlan Bechen, Henry Kurt, Dorrance and Betty Kurt, Charlie and Kit Kurt, Sisters Mary and Berniece Kurt-RSM, Billy Martin, Jane and Lloyd Stefen, and parents-in-law, Chris and Liz Donovan; brother and sister-in-law and their spouses, Arnold and Lucille Donovan, and Doris and Lester Manders. Nieces and nephews Richard Steffen, Jerry Kurt, Mary Lou Donovan White and Fred Donovan.

Our family would like to extend our grateful thanks to Sherry Kelchen, the care givers and staff at Accura, and Hospice of Dubuque for the excellent care and compassion towards our Mom.

Memorials will be made to St. Patrick’s Church, Garryowen and the Fire Departments and EMS units of the Bernard and Cascade communities.

A video tribute may be viewed online and online condolences sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com