Donna Ruth Ismir

Donna was born on June 25, 1936 in Cylinder, Iowa in the same farmhouse where she grew up. She had many chores on the farm including caring for the chickens and gathering their eggs. (Apparently the reason for her aversion to eating chicken!) Donna attended elementary and secondary school in Fenton, Iowa. She played basketball (half court in those days!), alto sax in the marching band, and acted in plays. She was an accomplished pianist and performed in many recitals.

She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa where she earned her associate’s degree in Business Education in 1956. She then began working at the ALC Headquarters in Minneapolis where she met Sam. He was working part-time for Luther League in the same building while attending seminary in St. Paul. They married on December 3, 1960. Together they shared 46 years of marriage and ministry moving from Tomahawk, Wisconsin to Princeton, New Jersey and then to Bismarck, North Dakota where they lived for 35 years. They are charter members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church where Donna sang in the choir and was in Altar Guild. Donna worked as a teacher’s assistant at Saxvik Elementary School in Bismarck for 14 years. She was beloved by the children and her colleagues.

In 1999 Sam and Donna moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where they become active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Donna sang in the choir, attended Bible study, and volunteered wherever needed, including many years at the welcome center.

Donna was well known for her faith and passion for serving others. She loved spending time with her grandchildren. Each year for every grandchild’s birthday she wrote a rhyming poem which summarized their activities and achievements. She enjoyed reading, bowling, baking, playing the piano, exercising, attending Bible study and spending time with her family and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Sylvia and Ernest Berkland, her beloved husband Sam (in 2007) and her brothers David, Stanley, and Timothy Berkland.

Donna is survived by her brother Steven Berkland (Jackie) of Spirit Lake, IA, sister-in-law Kathy Berkland of Fenton, IA, daughter Jody (Bruce) Lockwood of Timnath, CO and son Troy Ismir of Panama City Beach, FL. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Joseph (Isa) Lockwood of McKinney, TX, Samantha (Dakota) Bauman of Fort Collins, CO, Alexandra Lockwood of CO Springs, CO, Travis (Madison) Ismir of Orlando, FL, Sydney Ismir of Castle Rock, CO, two great grandsons, Christian Lockwood and Hank Ismir, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna’s love, devotion, and friendship touched many and will be carried forward by her family and friends. “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”

Memorial Contributions in Donna’s honor may be made to Redeemer’s Comfort Dog Ministry. Please make checks out to Redeemer and write Comfort Dog Ministry on the memo line. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80525

The Memorial Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 11 am on Tuesday, February 17th. A luncheon will take place in the Redeemer Fellowship Hall after the service. Interment will be held at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 8426 S. Highway 287, Fort Collins, Colorado at 2 pm.

If you are unable to attend the service in person, we invite you to watch it by going to Redeemer’s website at redeemerconnect.com and clicking on the “Watch Live” button. Or, go directly to the live.redeemerconnect.com