Donna Faye Zwart

Donna Faye Zwart, 74, of Sioux Center, Iowa, formerly of Hawarden, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Crown Pointe Estates, surrounded by family.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Hawarden Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. Steven Zwart (nephew) and Rev. Seth Atsma officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will take place Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Porter Funeral Home of Hawarden is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at porterfuneralhomes.com. The service will be livestreamed via the Hawarden Christian Reformed Church at https://hawardencrc.com/watch-live.

Donna Faye was born on April 15, 1951, in Orange City, Iowa, to Thomas and Gertrude (Van Engen) Smit. She graduated from Maurice–Orange City High School in 1969 and went on to pursue her calling in nursing, graduating from Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing in 1970. Her compassion and steady presence were evident early on and remained hallmarks of her life.

On September 2, 1971, Donna married the love of her life, Verlyn Zwart. Together they built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and family. They lived on several farm acreages near Maurice and Hawarden before settling on an acreage outside Hawarden in 1980, where they raised their five children. In 2021, they moved into Hawarden, continuing to make their home a place of welcome and warmth.

Donna worked as a nurse at Avera McKennan Hospital before devoting herself fully to her family as a stay-at-home mom. Later, she spent more than 35 years cleaning homes—work she approached with care, consistency, and pride, forming lasting relationships along the way.

Donna found joy in the simple and meaningful things: tending her vegetable and flower gardens, decorating her home for every season, cooking and baking for those she loved. Verlyn and Donna really enjoyed camping with family and friends, playing card games and laughing at the campfire. Above all, she cherished time with her children and grandchildren. Her joyful laugh, caring heart, and vibrant personality filled every room she entered. Everyone was welcome in Donna’s home, and many found comfort, conversation, and love there over the years.

She was a devoted and long-time member of the Hawarden Christian Reformed Church, where her faith shaped how she lived, loved, and served others.

Donna is lovingly survived by her husband, Verlyn; her children: Dawn Zwart of Joplin, Missouri; Paula Bollinger of Sioux Center, Iowa; Tom (Misty) Zwart of Hull, Iowa; Crystal (Terry) Dykstra of Sioux Center, Iowa; and Rachel (Jared) Terpstra of Sioux Center, Iowa; and her eleven grandchildren: Cassidy (Mycah Van’t Hul) Bollinger, Makenna Bollinger, Jordyn Bollinger; Emma (fiancé Eric Koehlmoos) Zwart, Ella Zwart, Elyse Zwart; Katelynn (Treyton) Bonnema, Danielle Dykstra; Jocelyn (Carter) De Jong, Addison Terpstra, and Morgan Terpstra.

She is also survived by her siblings: Tyanne (Dennis) Downing of Punta Gorda, Florida; Carla Anderson of Jefferson, South Dakota; Dale Smit of Orange City, Iowa; and Bonnie (Tom) Martin of Burns, Wyoming; along with Verlyn’s family Betty Zwart of Sioux Center, Iowa; Merlin and Beverly Zwart of Sioux Center, Iowa; Gerald and Jane Zwart of Inwood, Iowa; and Louis Wynia of Spicer, Minnesota. Along with many nieces, nephews, foreign exchange grandchildren, and all those whose lives she touched.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Gertrude Smit Sjaarda; her stepfather, John Sjaarda; her sister, Beverly Smit; her brother-in-law, Dwight Anderson; her sister-in-law, Verla Smit; her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Ruth Zwart; her brother-in-law, Delbert Zwart; her sister-in-law, Julie Wynia.

Donna will be remembered for her open heart, her welcoming home, her laughter, and the deep love she gave so freely to her family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child or the Hawarden Food Pantry.