Donna Jean Crookham, 79, of Oskaloosa, Iowa died Friday, July 1, 2022, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born November 18, 1942, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Kryne “K.C.” and Cathern Vander Linden DeBooy. She graduated from Oskaloosa Senior High School with the class of 1960. She furthered her education at the University of Iowa earning her Bachelors Degree in elementary education. Following college, she taught elementary school. On August 8, 1962, she was united in marriage to Joe P. Crookham in Oskaloosa. To this union three daughters were born, Diane, Linda, and Beth. Donna stayed home to care for her family and home. In 1972, Joe and Donna divorced.
She and the girls moved to Iowa City, and she started graduate school at the University of Iowa. She earned her Masters of Social Work. Upon earning her degree, she started her career in social work in Charles City, Iowa where she worked for ten years. She then moved to Grinnell, Iowa where she worked at the Community Mental Health Center as a Mental Health Therapist and Play Therapist for 8 years.
Then she worked in private practice for 5 years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Last she was the Director of Southern Iowa Mental Health Center in Ottumwa, Iowa retiring from there after 7 years. In retirement she moved back to Oskaloosa to be closer to her family. She was a member of the Non-fiction Book Club at the Book Vault. She enjoyed reading, gardening, going to sporting events, discussing politics,
cheering for the Chicago Cubs, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Oskaloosa Indians, William Penn Statesmen, and the Green Bay Packers. Donna enjoyed being active and had a competitive spirit. She enjoyed playing tennis, running, and later in life walking and playing pickleball (not socially, but to win!). Some of her athletic achievements include winning her age division in the 1983 Drake Relay’s Marathon and winning the Gold Medal on June 9, 2022, in the mixed doubles division of the Iowa Senior Games. She believed in being involved in her community. She spent hours volunteering for various organizations including the Oskaloosa Elementary School where she enjoyed reading to the students. She served in various capacities on the Oskaloosa Public Library Board of Trustees, including completing a term as Chairperson last week. Donna loved music and was a talented pianist and clarinetist. She looked forward to new adventures and traveling. She made many trips to various destinations with her family and her Road Scholar Group. She will be remembered for her kindness and love & hugs.
Her family includes her three daughters, Diane Crookham (Kevin) Johnson of Oskaloosa, Linda Crookham (Frank) Hansen of Oskaloosa, and Beth Crookham of Wilmington, North Carolina; two grandchildren Max Johnson and Ruby Johnson; a sister and her husband, Beverly and Bill Konas of Medina, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved dog and walking partner, Gracie. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. As was Donna’s wish her body has been cremated. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday, July 10, 2022, after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 1-3 p.m. Sunday to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mahaska County YMCA, Oskaloosa Public Library, or Iowa Public Radio.
