Donna Gude

Donna L. Gude passed away April 29, 2026 at the age of 92 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, surrounded by her children.

Donna was born September 19, 1933 to Everett (Speedy) Rowley and Veronica (Bonnie) Smith Rowley in Atlantic, Iowa. She grew up in Atlantic where she graduated from High School. After graduation she spent one year attending the University of Iowa on a full ride scholarship.

Donna was a cheer leader in high school and excelled at academics. She also was an avid roller skater, where she met her eventual husband, Jerry Gude. They were married July 15,1952 while he was serving in the Army. After serving they moved to Elk Horn, Iowa, where they eventually began farming,

They had six children, Greg, Glen, Gaye, Glee, Lisa, and Lori. Donna and Jerry were devoted to all their children and spent the next decades attending the numerous home and away games of the various sports the children played. This continued to include the sporting events of their many grandchildren. The entire family also spent time at Lake Okoboji Iowa, fishing, swimming and attending Arnold’s Park, every year. This was the highlight event every year for the family, and the tradition continued after the children had graduated and moved on.

After the children were mostly grown Donna began work at the Elk Horn retirement home where she was employed for 25 years. Jerry passed away in 2006 and Donna stayed on the farm until 2010 when she purchased a home in Elk Horn, where she remained until 2025. During this time Donna showed her entrepreneurial side by successfully purchasing several rental houses and buying and managing a full-time business by herself. She spent her entire adult life playing Pinochle with a group of all good friends she went to high school with.

Donna was an avid fan of the NBA and University of Iowa sports, which was a constant source of conversation by text and phone with her children. She also followed her family and many friends on Facebook, in addition to playing Words with Friends, where she competed with over 30 people daily, with numerous games going at the same time.

Donna’s devotion to her family was evident in every facet of her life. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a constant concern of hers and source of pride and happiness. She also made lifelong friendships wherever she spent time.

Due to health conditions Donna sold her home In Elk Horn and moved to Heritage House in her original home town of Atlantic, Iowa, where she made and renewed more friendships. She loved the people who lived and worked there and her family is forever grateful for the care and help she received while living there.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Speedy and Bonnie Rowley, her husband Jerry, and son Greg Gude (Annette). She is survived by five children, Glen Gude (Lori), Gaye Mussalem (Tom), Glee Smith (Jim), Lisa Parker (Roger), and Lori Gude. Also by 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the following in memory of Donna: Heritage House, Elk Horn Public Library, and Danish Windmill; and they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022. 

Private family burial will be at the St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic.