Obituary of Donna Ablett

Donna “Dee” Ablett, 67, of Iowa City, died Sunday, November 28, 2010 at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. A time of visitation will take place from 4 -6 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dee’s name to Iowa City Hospice or Pathways. Online condolences may be sent to Dee’s family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Donna (Madson) Ablett was born April 30, 1943, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa; daughter of Oscar and Ethel Madson. In 1963 Dee married Keith Ablett in Farnhamville, Iowa. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Iowa City, where Dee began a vibrant and successful career with First National Bank, retiring after 25 years as a Marketing Officer. This career put Dee in the community interacting with customers and more importantly friends and neighbors on a daily basis, a part of her job she whole-heartedly cherished. Dee was very active in the Iowa City community; she was a regional officer of the National Association of Banking Women (NABW), a member of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce as well as an officer of First National Bank. On her down time she enjoyed time spent in the water swimming with family and friends. Dee and her family spent many summer vacations at the Fillenwarth Beach Resort in Okoboji, a place where many friendships and memories were created. It’s also important to note that Dee loved her Hawkeyes; she was a loyal supporter of Hawkeye basketball and football. Dee’s family includes her husband of 47 years, Keith; daughters, Desi (Joe) Sexton and Angie (Justin) Rios; grandchildren, Tavian and Blaize Noard, Henry Sexton, and Elyse and Kalen Rios all of Iowa City. Dee was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Blanch Hinrichs and Betty Larson and brother, Chuck Madson. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Dee’s family and her arrangements.