For Hayden's memory...

Although Hayden had limited moments and time with Great Grandma Donna, I want her to have a memory of who she was and how much she meant to our family. "GG Donna" (as referred to by Hayden) had so much love to give and always had her own way of sharing her love with each of us. We will miss the way she made us smile with her feisty personality and spirit. We are saddened that she is gone, but GG Donna will always be remembered with love.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm Free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I've found peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now; He set me free.

Donna Marie Cornish was born on September 19, 1929 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Buren R. "Brownie" and Laura Anna (Wirth) Cornish. She was a 1947 graduate of Elwood High School and then attended Cosmetology School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She married Harlan Bartels on October 2, 1949 in Elwood, Iowa. He preceded her in death.

Donna was a homemaker and then worked for the Clinton County Department of Human Services as a case worker in the General Relief office from 1972 until retiring in 1998.

Donna was a member of the Elwood United Methodist Church. She was a collector and was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan.

Donna is survived by her children, Vicki (Mike) Wing of Maquoketa, IA, Brent (Beth) Bartels of Olathe, KS and Brad (Beth) Bartels of Cedar Rapids, IA; a brother, Benjamin (Betty) Cornish of Phoenix, AZ; 8 grandchildren - Joshua David, Mindy Marie, Seth Andrew, Jesse Arthur, Aaron Michael, Kara Elizabeth, Emily Amanda, and Jacob Harlan - and 6 great-grandchildren: Grace Ann, Thomas Joseph, Rylee Jo, Taylor Anne, Hayden Elizabeth, and Millie Harlan.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.