Donna Gessleman

Biography

Donna Jane Gessleman of Culbertson died Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. She was 74 years old.

Donna was born on June 14, 1934 in Wood Lake, Nebraska to Elmer Donald and Inez Viola (Kime) Hoisington. She graduated from Valentine High School in 1952.

On January 16, 1962, she was united in marriage to Gordon G. Gessleman. To this union two children were born. They made their home in McCook until Gordon's retirement when they moved to the Culbertson community. Donna was a telephone operator for many years as well as a homemaker. She was also manager of the West Sale Barn Branding Iron Café© for many years.

She attended First Congregational Church while living in McCook and then Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson. She was a member of the McCook Eagle's Club. In her free time, she enjoyed doing all kinds of crafts, working in her flower garden, reading and having coffee with her friends. She loved spending time with her grandchildren especially attending their sports events.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Elmer "Don" and Inez "Viola" Hoisington.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Gordon Gessleman of Culbertson; son, Travis Gessleman and wife, Lynn, of Culbertson; daughter, Theresa and husband, Robert Brush, of McCook; two sisters, Marion Edwards of Centennial, CO and Loree Hoisington of Aurora, CO; four grandchildren, Austin and Justin Gessleman and Amanda and Derrick Brush; numerous family and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation will be Wednesday until 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9-8:00 p.m. Family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 6, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson. Cremation will follow the service. A private family inurnment will be at a later time in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.