[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S7779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING VERGENE DONOVAN

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today, I pay tribute to a tireless civic 
leader from northwest Iowa who led a remarkable life of service for 
more than a century, richly steeped in family, faith, and citizenship.
  On this very day, my friend Vergene Donovan will be laid to final 
rest, joining her parents Harry and Minnie Bleeker, her husband Ed, 
both siblings, and her eldest son who preceded her in life everlasting.
  Vergene Edna Bleeker was born on March 4, 1924, on her parents' farm 
near Spencer, IA. For the next 101 years, this outstanding Iowan 
pursued life with vim and vigor to make her community and our country a 
better place. Her birth during a late winter blizzard forecasted a 
gritty resilience that shaped her decades-long devotion to community 
service and tenacity to overcome adversity. The loss of her father 
during childhood shaped her tireless work ethic that she put to 
extraordinary use on the campaign trail for Presidential, 
congressional, gubernatorial, and local candidates for more than eight 
decades.
  She met Edward Donovan, the love of her life, while working at a 
defense plant in California during World War II. It was love at first 
sight for these two Iowa lovebirds from Spencer and Spirit Lake. After 
getting married, they returned home to Iowa and celebrated their 75th 
wedding anniversary on August 24, 2017.
  Five months after their wedding day, Ed joined the U.S. Armed Forces 
and served as a staff sergeant 8th Air Force--European Theater of 
Operations. He loaded eight missions on D-day. After the war, the 
Donovans settled down in Spirit Lake and raised a loving family rooted 
in their Lutheran faith. As an empty nester, Vergene's work ethic and 
special talents jumped into warp speed. She immersed herself into civic 
life, getting involved in numerous local boards and committees in 
Iowa's Great Lakes, from the arts to healthcare and politics. She was a 
charter member of the Lakes Art Center and served on the Okoboji Summer 
Theatre, Voluntary Action Center, Spirit Lake Centennial, Homestead 
Retirement, St. Luke's Lutheran Home, the local and State boards of the 
American Cancer Society, the Lakes Regional Hospital auxiliary board, 
Lutheran Women's Mission League, and White House Conference on 
Families, to name a few.
  Vergene blazed a bright trail in grassroots politics and served in 
various leadership roles at the county and district levels. Serving as 
district and State board member of the Iowa Federation of Republican 
Women, Vergene edited its newsletter The Iowa Indicator. She donated 
these and other personal papers to the University of Iowa Libraries, 
Iowa Women's Archives.
  By the grace of God, I crossed paths with Vergene in 1980, during my 
first campaign for the U.S. Senate. From that day forward, she was a 
loyal and indefatigable grassroots leader who became a trusted friend 
to Barbara and me. She served as my county chair in each of my eight 
campaigns for U.S. Senate.
  While her political resume speaks volumes, her humility and 
generosity defined her approach to servant leadership. Over the course 
of countless campaigns, she met nine U.S. Presidents, including 
Eisenhower, Carter, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, 
George W. Bush, and Trump and befriended three Iowa Governors: Bob Ray, 
Terry Branstad, and Kim Reynolds.
  Vergene received numerous awards for her life of service, including 
the State and national Outstanding American Cancer Society Award, 1985 
and 1986; Outstanding National Volunteer Award, 1986; Harold Morgan 
Award, 1985; John McDonald Outstanding Republican in Iowa Award, 1995; 
honorary colonel in the Iowa Militia; and Republican Service Award in 
Dickinson County, 2002.
  Vergene also was listed in Who's Who in American Politics, 18th 
Edition. That is an understatement. Candidates wanting to win election 
in northwest Iowa quickly figured out their campaign needed to have 
Vergene on speed dial if they wanted a successful turnout for events 
and votes in her neck of the woods.
  Although her passion for politics contributed to her vitality and 
broadened her horizons across northwest Iowa, as well as the State and 
national political stage, Vergene's love for family, friends, and the 
Lord are her true legacy. From her treasured classmates of the Spencer 
High School Class of 1941 to her cherished book and bridge club 
members, Vergene's charismatic friendship and generosity will be deeply 
missed.
  Each time I was in Vergene's company, she would greet me with a 
glowing grin and a big hug. We enjoyed many evenings together on the 
lakes of Dickinson County. Barbara and I are grateful for our decades 
of friendship with Vergene and Ed and send our deepest condolences to 
her family and loved ones, including her surviving children Jim, 
DeEtte, and Scott and her beloved 17 grandchildren, 22 great-
grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
  May her memory be a blessing. I have no doubt the members of her 
family tree will carry forward the seeds of civic stewardship planted 
by their matriarch and embrace Vergene's devotion to her faith.
  To my dear friend, may you rest in peace in the Eternal grace of our 
Lord and Savior.

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