Donna Mortimore, 95 of Estherville, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society in Estherville on Dec. 1, 2023. The memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Dec. 9 at the First Christian Church, Estherville, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Donna was born on Oct. 7, 1928, to George and Esther (Buckles) Brix at Huntington, Iowa. Donna grew up on a farm near Huntington with four siblings, Elmer, Betty, Alice and Delbert. She graduated from Emmet Consolidated School in 1946 where she played on the school basketball team, which was six on six.
Donna married Warren “Shorty” Mortimore on Dec. 20, 1946, in Jackson, Minn. They lived in Estherville where they raised five children, Julie, Garth “Butch”, Joleen, Mark and Lillian.
Donna worked at Lyons Bakery where she developed a life-long habit of being an early riser. She worked as a waitress at the Majestic Cafe, Gardston Hotel and Six Fools Inn. Donna went to work at HyVee, primarily in the bakery department. She retired from HyVee and then soon began part-time work at the local McDonalds. When Donna left McDonalds, she returned to HyVee and worked there until she was 90 years old, retiring for a second time. Over the years, she also worked many Friday and Saturday nights in the concession stands at Jackson Speedway and Fairmont Raceway.
Donna loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed visiting with people, playing Hand and Foot, baking and sharing those goodies with family and friends, going to the casino, search-a-word puzzles and was a life-long fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. Donna loved listening to a wide variety of music. She liked getting outdoors and going for a walk even the last couple of years when she needed her walker.
She is survived by her daughters, Julie (Jim) Hansen of Sioux Falls and Lillian Herum (Jeff Hughes) of Estherville; her grandchildren, Doug (Deb) Houseman, Darci (Steve) Reno, Deb (Brad) Tams, Darren (Jessica) Houseman, Shanygne (Kevin) Gullickson, Kathi (Troy) Christensen, Kelly (Paul) Reese, John Mortimore, Todd (Jen) Roberts and Tasha Roberts, Nikki Day, Chris Mortimore, Brett Mortimore, Morgan (Cam) Joyner, Allison (Brad) Nelson, Bryan (Carly) Herum and Marissa Hughes; great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; daughters in law, Lis Mortimore and Bonnie Henderson.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents; three children, Garth “Butch” Mortimore, Mark Mortimore and Joleen Engebretson; and four siblings, Elmer Brix, Betty Barkulas, Alice Winter and Delbert Brix; and a grandson, Mark Mortimore, Jr.
Condolences can be left at www.chapelhillfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa Chapter of the American Parkison Disease Assoc. https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/iowa/ways-give-ia/donate/
