Donna Jane (Gray) Blair, 76, died November 13, 2023 at Windmill Manor Care Facility in Coralville, IA with her family by her side. She was born in Clarinda, Iowa on May 13th,1947 to Donald and Lois Gray.
Jane graduated high school from City High in Iowa City in 1965. She received her Bachelors and Masters degree in Physical Education from Northwest Missouri State College (University).
Jane taught until her retirement in the northwest Iowa area. She was well known for coaching girls volleyball, softball, basketball, and track.
Jane married Edwin Blair(Ed) on June 10th,1989. They were blessed with ten years of marriage before he passed.
The Iowa State Cyclones never had a better follower, she was an avid fan and enjoyed attending games or watching on tv when she wasn’t in the area. Jane enjoyed golfing in her retirement years and found numerous courses to play as she split her time between Spirit Lake, IA and Palm Springs, CA.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Lois Gray, her husband Ed Blair, brother in-law Ronald Gahring and her beloved dog Doogie.
She is survived by her sister Myra Gahring of Williamsburg, IA. Nephews Doug (Kerilee) Gahring Williamsburg IA, Tim (Mary) Gahring Newnan, GA, John(Lynn) Gahring Homestead, IA and numerous great and great great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her sweet dog Westin who is making a home with her dear friend Jan Carlson.
The family would like to thank Windmill Manor Care Facility for taking such wonderful care of her while she was in residence.
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Diane Williams (Hobson)
Jane was a great friend in high school. Jane and I were the only ones who had a car in our group of friends. We have many memories of scooping the loop, or meeting at George's after a ball game for wonderful pizza. She had a wood raft that we took to my farm pond. At one pointsome of us skipped school and spent the day at the pond to get a tan. I fried myself and ended up missing another day at school.
When I met the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with, I asked Jane to be a brides maid in my wedding. I was so pleased she agreed. Susan Richard Lloyd and I went to Spirit Lake for a weekend and stayed with Jane. It was a great time to catch up remembering ole times. The last time I saw Jane was at the IRP for 65 reunion mixer and was so glad she came. I did talk to her by phone when I was in her area for a district tour I was on for an organization I belonged to, she was out walking her dog at the time. I had reached out to her other times when she was fighting breast cancer. I sent our group of gals pink bracelets, to say a prayer for her to beat this. I was disappointed later on when she didn't respond to emails or cards sent and always wondered how she was. I'm still in shock of her passing and many questions what was going on with her health. I would have called on her if I only knew she was in a care facility in Coralville. She was a dear friend and will find peace remembering all the fun times we had in our high school years. Rest in peace Jane
Diane Wms Hobson
Will Maas
I didn't know Jane in high school. But it was nice to see Diane Williams (Hobson) writing her memories. It's comforting to believe someone from our class may remember us when we're gone. Thank you, Diane!
Susan Richard (Lloyd)
Happy heavenly birthday, Jane. You are missed down here on earth. Bet you are having some great reunions up there. I treasure our memories of fun times through high school and the years after. XOXO
Susan