ident of Church Women United. She served as the Secretary of the Iowa Porkettes, and on the committee that named the "Iowa Chop" in the early 1970's. Donna gave selflessly of her time and talents to many organizations in the community. She was known for her homemade pies. Donna and Bob looked forward to traveling to see family, particularly to attend a grandchild's event. Fishing trips to Canada with their children and grandchildren are cherished memories for the family.
Though Parkinson's disease created some limitations for Donna, her strength, courage, and hope, allowed her to remain active with her family and in the community. Her poise and determination were an inspiration to those around her. In 2011, Donna moved into the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. Center in Oskaloosa. Her kind spirit and positive attitude made it easy for her to form friendships with her nurses and caregivers. Her family is grateful to the staff there for the care and compassion they displayed while caring for Donna.
Her family includes her husband of over 74 years, Robert Gatton of Oskaloosa; three children and their spouses, Ronald and Leslie Gatton of Chicago, Dixie and Philip Meyer of Fenton, Iowa, and David Gatton and Jillian McNamara of McLean, Virginia; nine grandchildren; Molly (Dave) Kresin, Nathan (Brenda) Meyer, Damien (Anne) Meyer, Lenore (Nick) Brahm, Donna Jo "D.J" (Josh) Purviance, Byron Gatton, Averell Gatton, Karlin Gatton, and Sophia Gatton; and ten great grandchildren.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Doris Mark.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverends Tim Johnson, Robert Goodrich, and Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-5 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church or Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donna Gatton please visit our Sympathy Store.
AUG 20. 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Bates Funeral Chapel
114 South 7th Street P.O. Box 207
Oskaloosa, IA, US, 52577
director@batesfuneralchapel.com
AUG 21. 10:30 AM
First Christian Church
119 'A' Avenue East
Oskaloosa, IA, US, 52577
To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.batesfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Donna-Gatton/