Meet your neighbor: Larry and Donna Montross

Larry and Donna Montross have lived in the Winfield community for thirty years. They moved here from Millersburg.

Donna was born in Virgina to Clement and Gerry Slaymaker. Her father is deceased, and her mom lives in Amana. She has two siblings, Vicki and Carrie. Larry’s parents are Pete and Beverly Montross, and they lived in Millersburg. He was born in Sigourney, Iowa and has three siblings, Bill, Steve and Janet.

Donna is a graduate of Iowa Valley High School and Larry graduated from Deep River Millersburg School in Millersburg and spent one semester at the University of Iowa. Larry and Donna met at a dance in Victor, Iowa, where Larry was attending with another girl. However, it was Donna who won Larry’s attention that evening.

They were married on July 27, 1974, and recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. They have three children: Jennifer lives in Winfield, Andy lives in Florida, and James lives in Palo, Iowa. They are grandparents of five: Jordan, Anna, Gavin, Aiden and Oliver.

Donna retired from Washington County Development Center in Washington, Iowa, where she was employed for 20 years before retiring five years ago. Prior to that, she worked at a nursing home in Winfield for two years. Just because Donna describes herself as “retired” and a “housewife” that doesn’t mean she is no longer working.

The Montrosses raise a large garden, and Donna spends countless hours canning and freezing a variety of vegetables as well as large amounts of apples from the apple trees in their yard. Donna also supports and helps Larry with his many projects including the items he made and contributed to Winfield’s Crooked Creek Days celebration. When Donna has some free time, she enjoys riding their spider motorcycle with Larry, gardening, reading, crafts and movies. Donna said ”dog hair” is her pet peeve and if she cold change one thing, it would be to have more it would be to have more patience, something she found most challenging when working with her patients.

One thing she has accomplished on her bucket list was, “going to Branson and seeing the Christmas lights.” Something she would like to do is go see lighthouses. Her grandparents are the people she admired most and her advice to youth is, “Study and get a good job.”

As they say, “great minds think alike” as Larry has the same advice for youth, “Study hard and get a good job.” Hummmm! But, unlike Donna, Larry says he really doesn’t have a pet peeve. Larry is also retired, but still works one day a week driving semi loads of parts for J&J Nichting, where he was employed for 20-plus years before retiring. Prior to working for Nichting, Larry was employed at Binco and Shottenkirk car dealership. When asked if he had any stories, he could share, Donna said, “He’ s helped families when in need.”

When he isn’t working on a project of some sort, like making his shed into a place to meet and eat (entertain), or making a gravity wagon into a Hoop Wagon Larry enjoys riding his motorcycle with Donna, fishing, gardening and family. Things on his bucket list include a trip to Alaska. Larry would also like to go out West to see the country. Larry’s most admired person is his Dad, Pete Montross.

Donna and Larry live on an acreage west of Winfield. We hope you enjoyed meeting the Montrosses and we thank them for sharing with us.

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