- Born on: September 12, 1939
- Departed on: May 20, 2026
- Resided in: New Liberty, IA
Donna Lee Paper
Donna Lee Paper, age 86, passed away Wednesday May 20, 2026. She went to the Lord peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband Roland of 51 years and daughters Angela Kook and Paula Lawson. Donna was a member of the United Methodist Church of Wilton. In life she was very active, especially if it had anything to do with water. Later in life, she really loved going to the YMCA and doing water aerobics. If she wasn’t outdoors, she’d stay busy at home canning and knitting.
Donna was born on September 12, 1939, to Ralph and Juanita (Paustian) Seibel in Scott County, Iowa. She graduated from Durant High School, Class of 1957. On October 26th, 1957, she married Larry Lee Kook, who was also a graduate of Durant High School, Class of 1956. They had two sons, Timothy Lee in 1958, Terry Lee in 1959 and two daughters Angela Lee in 1968 and Paula Lee in 1971.
As a young mother and wife, Donna lovingly cared for their children while supporting Larry as he served in the Naval Reserves and went on to own and operate a barber shop. In April of 1972 Donna and Larry purchased the Maid Rite restaurant in Durant, Iowa. However, Donna endured hardship later that year when Larry passed away suddenly.
In 1975, Donna and Roland Keith Paper were united in marriage on April 25th at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Roland and Donna began a new life together with their children Tim, Terry, Jodi, Juli, Angie and Paula.
During their 51 years together, they’ve enjoyed many travels and adventures around the world where God brought into their family Carl Odem and Lizzy Mack as their bonus children. Eventually, they returned to Iowa to live near their family in New Liberty.
Donna will be lovingly remembered by her husband Roland (Ron) Paper, son Tmothy (Mary) Kook, daughters Angela Kook, Paula (Terry) Lawson, Jodi (Burt) Hoekstra and Juli (Jeff) Smith, brother Ronnie Seibel, brother in law Wayne Paper (Eric), brother in law Edwin Voss and sister in law Lora Lyndsey and 13 grandchildren Heather (Dan) Alpen, Tom (Sara) Kook, Brandon (Sara) Waltemyer, Jordan (Kaitlyn) Kook, Chad (Sarah) Kraklio, Maci (Daniel) Goehringer, Nikki (Brandon) Smith, Nettie (Michael) Churchill, and Michael (Josie) Smith, Hannah Schmuecker, Haley Schmuecker, Jasmine (Tyce) Lawson, Jenna (James) Lawson, 25 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Juanita, husband Larry, two sons Larry Jr and Terry, brother Rick Seibel, sister Connie Voss and sister-in-law Jane Seibel.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the American Legion, 712 5th St., Durant, IA.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Wilton, Iowa.
Donna was born on September 12, 1939, to Ralph and Juanita (Paustian) Seibel in Scott County, Iowa. She graduated from Durant High School, Class of 1957. On October 26th, 1957, she married Larry Lee Kook, who was also a graduate of Durant High School, Class of 1956. They had two sons, Timothy Lee in 1958, Terry Lee in 1959 and two daughters Angela Lee in 1968 and Paula Lee in 1971.
As a young mother and wife, Donna lovingly cared for their children while supporting Larry as he served in the Naval Reserves and went on to own and operate a barber shop. In April of 1972 Donna and Larry purchased the Maid Rite restaurant in Durant, Iowa. However, Donna endured hardship later that year when Larry passed away suddenly.
In 1975, Donna and Roland Keith Paper were united in marriage on April 25th at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Roland and Donna began a new life together with their children Tim, Terry, Jodi, Juli, Angie and Paula.
During their 51 years together, they’ve enjoyed many travels and adventures around the world where God brought into their family Carl Odem and Lizzy Mack as their bonus children. Eventually, they returned to Iowa to live near their family in New Liberty.
Donna will be lovingly remembered by her husband Roland (Ron) Paper, son Tmothy (Mary) Kook, daughters Angela Kook, Paula (Terry) Lawson, Jodi (Burt) Hoekstra and Juli (Jeff) Smith, brother Ronnie Seibel, brother in law Wayne Paper (Eric), brother in law Edwin Voss and sister in law Lora Lyndsey and 13 grandchildren Heather (Dan) Alpen, Tom (Sara) Kook, Brandon (Sara) Waltemyer, Jordan (Kaitlyn) Kook, Chad (Sarah) Kraklio, Maci (Daniel) Goehringer, Nikki (Brandon) Smith, Nettie (Michael) Churchill, and Michael (Josie) Smith, Hannah Schmuecker, Haley Schmuecker, Jasmine (Tyce) Lawson, Jenna (James) Lawson, 25 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Juanita, husband Larry, two sons Larry Jr and Terry, brother Rick Seibel, sister Connie Voss and sister-in-law Jane Seibel.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the American Legion, 712 5th St., Durant, IA.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Wilton, Iowa.
