Ladonna Specht, born **Georgie Rosemary Frye**, entered the world on **July 9, 1937**, in a houseboat on the Mississippi River near Clayton, Iowa. 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, Iowa, 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 (CNA) 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, Iowa.

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 Speelmon'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; Theresa (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, Christle 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 nephews, Teddy David and David.

Donna peacefully entered God's loving arms at Accura HealthCare of Milford, Iowa surrounded by her family on Monday, July 13, 2026. 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.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenwood-Schubert Chapel of Boothby Funeral Home at 216 S. 2nd Street in Cherokee. Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Maryhill Visitation Cemetery, rural Cherokee, Iowa at a later date. The Boothby Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.