Donna G. (Bealer) Leyden

Donna G. (Bealer) Leyden

Riverside

Donna G. (Bealer) Leyden, age 83, of Riverside, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa, following a lengthy illness.

A private memorial service and interment will be held at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa, or Paws & More Animal Shelter in Washington. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Donna’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Donna was born on September 17, 1942, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Donald W. and Darlene (Payne) Bealer. She graduated from Washington High School in 1960 and was a graduate of the Iowa City Commercial College. Donna and Ernest James “Jim” Leyden were high school sweethearts and eloped on March 7, 1964.

Donna was instrumental in establishing Riverside’s Congregate Meal Program in 1976 and was the Site Manager from 1976 until 1980. She was the recipient of the Governor’s Leadership Volunteerism Award through the Community Betterment Program in 1979. She served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Employees Credit Union. Donna retired from the Iowa City VA Medical Center after 30 years of service, working lastly in the Chief of Staff’s office.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Leyden (Tim) Metz of Riverside, Iowa; son, David James (Kym) Leyden of Iowa City, Iowa; four grandchildren: Molly (Jared) Barthelman, Megan (Cody) Kanke, Taylor Leyden and Emily Leyden; and seven great-grandchildren: Clay, Cael, Camden and Cade Barthelman; and Noah, Niah and Layla Kanke. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Joni Bealer of Lincoln, Nebraska; Jean Sliekers of Waterloo, Iowa; Sally Leyden of Washington, Iowa; Kim (Joan) Leyden of Washington, Iowa; Roger Leyden of Washington, Iowa; Jane Leyden of Washington, Iowa; Kathy (Keith) Sulzner of Arizona; Eric Leyden of Washington, Iowa; and Jim (Marcia) Wilson of Washington, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim, in 2014; great-grandson, Hudson Kanke; sister, Barbara Wilson; brother, Stephen Bealer; and brothers and sisters-in-law, John Sliekers, Treva Kilgore, Phillip Leyden, Ina Rae (Ed) Gappa, Linda Leyden, Mike Leyden, Sherry Leyden, Mary Ann (George) Davison, and Cherie Lynn Sapp.