of Yellvlile, AR
December 15, 1935 - August 12, 2020
Donna Jean Slechta, age 84, of Yellville, Arkansas, died Wednesday, August 12th at Community Compassion Center in Yellville, Arkansas. Donna was born December 15, 1935, in Albia, Iowa, to James and Gladys (Barley) Murphy. Her family later moved to a farm in Rose Hill, Iowa, where she attended school. Donna married John Slechta and they had four children, Carol, Larry, Todd and Chad. John, Donna, Todd and Chad moved to Arkansas in the mid 70's. Donna worked as a factory worker, a cook and as a housekeeper in hospitals, schools and nursing homes. Donna became a resident of the same nursing home that she had worked at for several years. She thought highly of the staff who took great care of her. Donna loved Jesus and knew she would be with him at the end of her life. Her husband, John, had accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior and Donna knew she would see her husband in Heaven. Donna was a great dancer and loved attending dances on the town square in Yellville during the summer. Donna's favorite singer was George Jones and her favorite song was He stopped Loving Her Today. Her favorite gospel song was In The Garden. Donna rarely spent money on herself but always gave to others even though she had very little.
Donna is survived by her four children, Carol Houser, Larry Slechta, Todd Slechta and Chad Slechta, and her grandchildren, Carrie (Bruce) Kline, Cory (Lindsey) Houser, Matt (Alesia) Houser, Tami (Brent) Gilliland, Tyler Slechta, Kelsey Corkin, Tristen Corkin, Landon Slechta, Anna Slechta, ShaeLea Kilgore, Taylor (Brayden) Cornelius, Kylie Jo Kilgore, Ethan Slechta, and several great grand children.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gladys, her siblings, Robert Murphy, Leo Murphy, Helen Wells and Margaret Wiese, and her husband John Slechta.
Graveside funeral service and burial will be held Wednesday, August 19th at 2:00pm in the Garrett Cemetery in Delta, Iowa, with Reverend Dr. Douglas Smiley officiating. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The graveside funeral service will be live streamed at the funeral home's YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Open Visitation will be held from 12 noon until 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the Bates Funeral Chapel.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donna Slechta please visit our sympathy store. www.batesfuneralchapel.com