[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 183 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5356-S5357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING DONNA LEE NELSON

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, throughout my years of public service, 
I have had the honor to meet citizens from all walks of life across my 
home State. As Iowa's senior U.S. Senator, today I pay tribute to a 
dynamic civic and business leader who passed away earlier this year.
  Donna Lee Nelson was an indomitable pillar in her community who 
leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, and entrepreneurial 
spirit for which the city of Waterloo and the Cedar Valley will benefit 
for generations to come. She also was the family matriarch, lovingly 
recalled as a ``force of nature,'' and her long list of achievements 
and traveling adventures will be fondly remembered by her family and 
friends for years to come.
  Donna and her husband Verner D. Nelson, Sr., celebrated their 70th 
wedding anniversary in January. That was a remarkable milestone and 
testimony to their faith-filled partnership. They were high school 
sweethearts who together launched a business enterprise that started 
with insurance and ventured into many others, including construction, 
trucking, and real estate.
  Looking back at her 89 years of life, Donna certainly didn't let any 
grass grow beneath her feet. She traveled all over the world but never 
lost sight of home. The city of Waterloo benefited from what you might 
call her Midas Touch with her tireless, decades-long efforts to 
preserve the vitality, culture, heritage and history of downtown, 
including the Black's Building and the old YMCA.
  Her selfless approach to leadership and ability to mobilize others 
carried

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over from business and industry to philanthropy, as well. Donna was 
recognized by more than 20 achievement awards, including being named 
Citizen of the Year in 1985 and Eight over Eighty in 2015. Donna 
chaired and served on numerous boards, from the United Way to the 
American Heart Association and the Salvation Army.
  Barbara and I extend our condolences to Donna's family and friends, 
particularly to her beloved husband Vern. We were blessed by her 
friendship and thank the Nelson family for their support over many 
years.

                          ____________________