Donna Murrell

July 25, 1945 - April 28, 2017

Donna Murrell, 71 of Unionville, Missouri, died Friday, April 28, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with Fr. Timothy Johnson of Holy Spirit Church in Carroll officiating. Casket Bearers will be: Norman Berrett, Stan Vigness, Shane Berrett, Bobby Molak, Nate Molak and Cooper Molak. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Donna’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. Born on July 25, 1945 at Iowa Falls, Iowa, Donna was the daughter of Marion and Mae (Blaney) Phillips. Donna spent her younger years in Zearing, Iowa and graduated from Nesco High School in 1962. She furthered her education at Iowa State University and then received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Drake University. On April 4, 1964, Donna was united in marriage to Roger Murrell in McCallsburg, Iowa. Following their marriage, she taught at Nesco and Hubbard Elementary Schools. The couple later moved to Ames where Donna was a devoted homemaker. She loved working outside and tending to her flower garden. A talented artist, Donna spent many days painting and sketching artwork. One of her greatest joys was singing and dancing in the kitchen with her granddaughter “sparkplug.” Donna enjoyed traveling to Canada with Roger and the kids for fishing trips. Her lifelong dream was to go to the Louvre Museum in France. A dream that was realized on her 50th Wedding Anniversary. Donna was currently residing at Lake Thunderhead in Unionville, Missouri. Donna is survived by her husband Roger Murrell of Unionville, MO; her children: Nicolet Murrell of Tampa Bay, FL, Chad (Kim) Murrell of Carroll, and Heather Murrell of Carroll; her granddaughter Maryn Murrell; her siblings: Diane Davis of San Francisco, CA and David (Mary Kay) Phillips of Zearing; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mildred Ely of Ames, Marcia (Norman) Berrett of Ames, Gerald Murrell of Zearing, Deb Greene of Plymouth, MN, Stan Vigness of McCallsburg, and Vicki (Leon) Robertson of Mason City; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends. Her parents, Marion and Mae Phillips preceded her in death.