Donna Jean Wilson, age 79, of Wapello, Iowa, died Friday, December 6, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after a brief illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington with Pastor Larry Brown and Pastor Joseph Brown officiating. Visitation will begin noon Tuesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 Tuesday evening. Interment will take place at the Crawfordsville Cemetery. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Donna's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Donna was born August 16, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of William Brauns, Sr. and Dorothy (Boyd) Brauns. She grew up in Wapello, Iowa and graduated from Wapello High School. On November 15, 1953 Donna was united in marriage to Wendell Wilson in Wapello, Iowa.

Donna was a homemaker and a bookkeeper for her husband's construction business until her children graduated from school. She went back to school and received her RN Degree at age 47. She then moved to Lubbock, Texas and became a CCRN. Donna managed the Critical Care Heart Unit in Lubbock until her retirement. After retiring, Donna and Wendell moved back to Wapello, Iowa.

Donna was a founding member of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church. Her life revolved around her church and she lived to glorify the Lord. Family was very important to her. Donna was an avid college sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. She raised Arabian horses, and enjoyed traveling in her retirement.

Donna is survived by husband Wendell Wilson of Wapello, Iowa; son Jerry Wilson and wife Helen of Crawfordsville, Iowa; daughter Sheri Barker and husband David of Ankeny, Iowa; five grandchildren: David Wilson of Wellman, Iowa; Steve Wilson and wife Katie of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Tim Wilson and wife Dana of Olds, Iowa; Amy Wilmeth and husband Eric of Bennington, Nebraska; and Michael Barker and wife Leah of Dallas Center, Iowa; ten great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Rebecca, Sara, Ben, Wyatt, Paisley, Faith, Adam, Ethan, and Asher; sister Lila Menke of Dubuque, Iowa; brother William Brauns and wife Jean of Wapello, Iowa; sister Norma Reeman and husband Jack of Pierce, Colorado; and sister Beverly Lincoln and husband Wayne of Durant, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents.