Donna Sandage

Indianapolis, Indiana – Donna L. Sandage, 77, went to her peace on May 9, 2026. Her love, her joy, and her wisdom will be greatly missed.

Donna was born on February 26, 1949, to parents Walter Woodrow “Woody” & Edith “Mae” (Eads) Sandage in Tell City, Indiana. Donna was raised in the Tell City area, taking picnics on Chigger Hill, working with her family at Tell City Furniture, and attending school.

Donna loved her German heritage as well as school, so she decided to study the German language. She graduated from Indiana University in 1971 with her B.A. before moving to the University of Alberta, where she earned her M.A. in 1974. After that she received her Masters of Language Studies in 1979 from Indiana University before finally receiving her doctorate from Ohio State University in 1994. Donna was a longtime schoolteacher, teaching German and running the German Language clubs where she worked. She was a member of both the American Association of Teachers of German, as well as Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association. She was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church before joining the North United Methodist Church in her later years. She also taught water exercise at the Jordan YMCA for 17 years. She had a passion for philanthropic work and lived by the words of John Wesley, “Do all the good you can”.

A lover of life, Donna traveled all over the world with her loved ones to see the beautiful art of every culture. She spent time in Egypt, Mexico, Italy, and on cruise ships all over the world. She was also a docent at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, guiding visitors in their own world travel through art.

When she had time to relax, Donna enjoyed a good book, a crossword puzzle, and a nice glass of wine.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, who she loved dearly, Woody and Mae, as well both of her loved husbands, Byron Swanson, who passed in 1989, and John Drake, who passed in 2024.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 1 – 2 pm at North United Methodist Church (3808 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46208) with a memorial service at 2 pm.