Donna Joy Gilbertson, age 86 of Forest City, Iowa passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Services will be livestreamed on the church's You Tube page https://youtu.be/VH2K2BagtGA
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A gathering of friends and family will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.
Donna was born June 4, 1935, to Edward and Marion (Smith) Heitland. She graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1953 and is a 1956 graduate of Waldorf College.
She taught elementary school for two years in Ringsted and Swea City, Iowa. She was also employed by the Forest City Community Schools for many years.
November 26, 1958, Donna married Allan J. Gilbertson. To this union, Mark, Denny and Mary were born. They spent a few years in Wellsburg and Rolfe before settling in Forest City in 1972. Al passed away in 2013, after they celebrated 53 years of marriage.
Donna was a 50-year member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. She was a devoted wife, a caring and loving mom, and an extremely proud grandma and great-grandma. She was also a special sister, aunt, in-law, cousin, and friend.
She had a unique personal relationship with each of her grandchildren, whom she treasured greatly. She was so supportive and generous to them.
Donna was a woman of faith with a great sense of humor and kind and caring heart. She was also an avid sports fan. Donna always looked forward to the next game. She cheered on all of Al's FCHS teams, Denny's Waldorf softball teams, and her kids and grandkids' teams. Her TV was regularly on a sports channel watching golf, the Twins, or the Hawkeyes. She was often tuned in to local sports on the radio.
Donna and Al had many dear friends in Forest City. They also made wonderful friends at Fiesta Village, in Mission, Texas, where they wintered for fourteen years.
Donna was blessed with very special and caring neighbors and great friends including her morning coffee ladies that she cherished.
She is survived by her children, Mark (Rita) of Ames, IA, Denny (Beth) of Fort Myers, FL, and Mary (Scott) Meyer of Dougherty, IA; grandchildren, Robby (Heather) Gilbertson of Seattle, WA, Reid, Holly and Bailey Gilbertson of Des Moines, Justin (fiancé Lena Boehmer) Meyer of Rockwell, Morgan Meyer of Crystal, MN, Ali (Jake) Covarrubias of Ankeny; great-grandchildren, Griffey Covarrubias and Beau Bush; siblings and in-laws, Shirley Higbee, Butch (Jean) Heitland, and (Gescha) Heitland, all of Lake Mills, James (Karen) Gilbertson of Prairie Village, KS; special nephews and nieces, and extended family and friends, including special friends, Joyce Goranson and Mavis Hess.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al Gilbertson; parents, Ed and Marion Heitland; in-laws, Leonard and Olive Gilbertson; siblings and in-laws, Jim (Marilyn) Heitland, Dave (Mae and Betty) Heitland, and (Jerry) Higbee.
Donna's family would like to extend their gratitude to the North Iowa Hospice Staff and to the Forest City Senior Center's Meals-on-Wheels program.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hospice of North Iowa, and the Forest City Fire Department.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna, please visit our floral store.