Donald Gilster

Donald Gilster, 81, of Postville, Iowa died Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Palmer Lutheran Health Center, West Union, Iowa.  Donald George, the son of Earl and Grace (Welzel) Gilster, was born September 17, 1933 near Luana, Iowa.  When Don was a child, his family moved to a farm north of Castalia, Iowa.  He and his future wife, Darlene, were confirmed in November of 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Don graduated from Postville High School in 1951.  He served with the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 and was stationed in Texas and Michigan.  Don was united in marriage with Darlene Blumhagen on July 28, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia.  After his return from the service, Don farmed north of Castalia.  He also worked at Carnation Milk, Rockweiler’s, Schutte Furniture, and Postville Ford.

                  Don was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church.  He served on the church council, sang in the choir, and was a Sunday School teacher.  He was a longtime member of the Pleasant View Cemetery Board and served as sexton and treasurer.  Don enjoyed music, dancing, playing cards, and collecting commemorative plates.  Don enjoyed collecting car models and owned and appreciated several beautiful automobiles.

                  Don is survived by his wife, Darlene of Postville; three children, Cheryl (Robert) Leuenberger of Fairbank, IA; Mavis (Randy) Holthaus of Normal, IL; and Wayne (Lisa) Gilster of Cresco, IA; six grandchildren, Jeremy Pankow, Angel (Sean) Snyder, Darin (Stephanie) Holthaus, Brad (Kara) Holthaus, Crystal (Kyle) Anderson, and Joshua (Ashley) Rauk; three step-grandchildren, Lauri (Travis) Parker, Patricia (Tony) Thein, and Robert (Carol) Leuenberger; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Mary Gilster of Omaha, Nebraska and Shirley Saucer of Marion, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Dale Blumhagen of Bloomfield, Iowa and Gerald (Marie) Blumhagen of Castalia and several nieces and nephews.

                  Don was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Louis Gilster; and one sister, Anita Gilster.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 5-7 pm at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

Funeral Services will be at 1:30 pm on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, Iowa with Rev. Alan Wicks as the Officiant.

Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia, Iowa.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.