Donna Brubaker

DONNA LOU (KOLSRUD) BRUBAKER

Cedar Rapids

Donna Lou Brubaker, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Saturday, March 24, 2018. A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Friday, March 30, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Burial: South English Cemetery following the funeral service.

Donna was born Aug. 20, 1932, in Waukon, Iowa. She was the first of three children of Oliver and Ida Teslow. Donna grew up on multiple farms in northeast Iowa with her siblings, Ramona (Monnie) Brazell of Cedar Rapids and Dean Teslow of Decorah. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1950 and married Dale Kolsrud in 1951.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Dennis Kolsrud.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Vernon Brubaker; her siblings; and her four sons, David, Douglas (Bags), Danny (Chris) and Duane (Gayle). She is also survived by two stepsons, Scott and Kevin Brubaker; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two Papillon dogs, Opie and Annie, who spent their days sitting with her in her favorite recliner.

Donna worked as a switchboard operator in Waterville. She retired in 1985 after 20 years at Northwestern Bell in Cedar Rapids. She has been a faithful member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church for over 50 years.

She spent her retirement years doing the things she loved, creating the most amazing flower garden in her backyard, tailoring clothes on her Singer sewing machine, crocheting blankets for her grandkids, baking lefse and krumkake for her family, painting woodcrafts and working estate sales with her husband Vern.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in honor of Donna.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.