Greta Makohoniuk, 89, passed away peacefully early Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her son’s home, where she lived for the past five years.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Lutheran Church of Hope (925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines), followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to gather for a meal and fellowship immediately after the service. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/

Greta was born on November 8, 1936, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was the daughter of Edison and Edna Daurie. She met her future husband, Cliff Makohoniuk, at an Easter service at her church in Toronto. She thought he had the coolest car, and he thought she was the prettiest girl. Cliff, always the helper, drove a group of people home from church that day, strategically managing to drop Greta off last. They married in 1959 and moved to the United States shortly after, eventually settling in Iowa. There, they raised their three children and spent the rest of their lives together until he passed away in 2006.

Greta was a hard worker and had many jobs throughout her life, but by far the most important was her role as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and even great-grandmother. She was always known for showing up—never missing a game, concert, recital, or event. She would drop anything and everything to help when needed. She loved playing cards, walking with her friends, southern gospel music, Hallmark movies, and playing the piano. For many years she played piano for Sunday services at Maple Grove Church and also attended Lutheran Church of Hope, both in West Des Moines.

She cared for her very large, charismatic family. In her final years, her family cared for her. Her daughter-in-law, Tara, was her primary caregiver and was by her side until the end. Greta is survived by her children, Dayna Archer, Rick (Tara) Makohoniuk, and Dara (Jonathan) Martin; sister, Donna Kechnie; twenty-two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Never wanting to miss a party, Greta waited until all her family had the chance to gather around her, sing hymns, pray, and share stories with her before going to be with the Lord; the perfect finale to a life of love, joy, and togetherness. Greta is reunited in Heaven with her husband, her parents, and many dear friends.

Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Church of Hope. https://lutheranchurchofhope.org/give-2/

Visitation

Jan

6

Lutheran Hope of Church - West Des Moines

925 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Funeral Service

Jan

6

Lutheran Hope of Church - West Des Moines

925 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

11:00 AM