Iris Donnay of Watkins died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, at the Paynesville Hospital. She was 88.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at St. Anthony Catholic 
Church in Watkins with Fr. Aaron Nett officiating. Interment will be in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the St. Anthony Parish Center and will continue on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, at the St. Anthony Parish Center.
Iris S. Donnay was born Feb. 27, 1930, in Fairhaven, Minn., to Anton and Violet (Tuey) Thiele. She grew up and received her education in the Cokato area.Iris was united in marriage May 4, 1948, to Alfred Donnay at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins. Together they farmed near Watkins until retiring in 1984. Iris also worked at the Watkin Retirement Home, the Nutrition Site at St. Anthony Manor, and as an aid at the Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins.
Iris was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins, and was active with the Council of Catholic Women. She was also a member of the Watkins Senior Citizens. Her hobbies included reading, puzzles, dominos and bingo. Iris enjoyed visiting with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a strong devotion to church and prayer, and was active in many church activities during her lifetime.
Iris was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alfred; daughter Lisa; son Eugene; and brother Lyle Thiele.
She is survived by her children and their spouses Shirley (and Steve) Hill of Rice, David (and Roxanne) Donnay of St. Cloud, Mary (and Dan) Evans of Cold Spring, Barb (and Tom) Merdan of Shakopee, Larry (and Mary) Donnay of Cold Spring, Scott Donnay of Neptune Beach, Fla., Todd (and Nicole) Donnay of Eden Valley; 14 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren; sisters and their spouses Beverly (and Don) Isaacson of Hamel, Gale (and Ron) Mezera of Farmington.
Arrangements are with the Ertl Funeal Home of Watkins.