Donna J. Gardner

Donna J. Gardner, 79, of Adel Acres, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at MercyOne West Hospital.

Donna was born on April 14, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Alva N. Gardner Jr. and Doneta M. Gardner.

She is survived by her sister, Sharon Maas of Clive, Iowa; her niece, Cory Harmsen (Joel) of Waukee, Iowa; her great-nieces, Makayla Mardesen (Jason) of Grimes, Iowa. Miranda Wilson of Waukee, Iowa and Brittney Close of Joplin, Missouri; her nephews, Cody Close (Courtney) of Denver, Iowa and Tyler Close of Waverly, Iowa; her cherished great-great-nieces, Oakley, Raven and Alexandria; and her great-great-nephews, Levi, Theodore, Oliver, Charles, and Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her nephew, Michael Close.

Donna grew up on the south side of Des Moines and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School with the Class of 1965. She later attended Americana Academy of Cosmetology, where she trained to become a hairstylist. She was a gifted stylist who genuinely enjoyed helping others look and feel their best. Later in life, she built a successful career working for several insurance companies.

A woman of many talents, Donna had a lifelong love of music. She learned to play the violin as a young girl, played the organ for her church, and even mastered the accordion. She was also blessed with a beautiful singing voice, a gift she inherited from her mother, Doneta.

Faith was the foundation of Donna's life. She attended church faithfully, participated in Bible study with friends, and found great comfort in God's Word. The well-worn pages of the many Bibles she leaves behind are a testament to her enduring faith and devotion.

Above all, Donna treasured time spent with her family. She had a warm heart, a quick wit, and a wonderful sense of humor. She had a special gift for bringing laughter into a room and could often lighten even the most difficult moments with a smile or a joke. Her kindness, joyful spirit, and ability to make others feel at ease will be remembered always by those who knew and loved her.

Donna's legacy lives on through the love she shared, the faith she lived, and the countless lives she touched with her compassion, laughter, and gentle spirit. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale. Family will greet friends one hour prior beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Donna's memory. Supporting survivors of domestic violence and advocating for their safety and healing was a cause that was deeply important to her.

Memorial donations may be made at:https://www.icadv.org/donate

Luncheon to Follow

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano 5990 University Ave.West Des Moines, IA 50266