Bona Marie (Murray) (Doty) Giebelstein

Mrs. Bona (Doty) Giebelstein, 89, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Thursday evening, June 15, 2017, at Genesis Medical Center-East Campus, Davenport.

Bona M. Murray was born October 20, 1927, in Tipton, Iowa,  to Ethyl and Charles Murray.  She attended schools in Tipton before moving to Davenport, then attending Davenport High.  She married James E. Doty on December 25, 1946. They had 3 children (Jim, Tom and Bob) and enjoyed many wonderful years, including visiting family (the Turner's) in Michigan.  Bona married Harry Giebelstein in 1974 and he passed away in 1988. Harry and Bona shared many wonderful years in DeWitt as well as at their cabin in Leaf Lake, Minnesota.  She worked at the First Presbyterian Church and the YMCA in Davenport for many years before moving to DeWitt where she worked at Barnes Grocery Store.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, its Choir and Bell Choir. Bona enjoyed life whether playing cards, going to events with the DeWitt ladies (especially Circa 21), reading a book or doing anything where family was around. She loved seeing the grandkids and especially her numerous great-grandchildren at birthdays, Holidays or just anytime she could share time with them. She also enjoyed helping where needed including at Grace Lutheran Church and their Camp.  She could cook or bake most anything (and did). A favorite was her “Red Cake” treat for birthdays and Christmas Cookies for her grandkids/great-grandkids. Bona loved her time at the Lake in Minnesota with Harry and in recent years with family at a Lake in northern Wisconsin (Big Sissabagama). In her trips to the lake cabins, she loved to have coffee in the early morning on the deck in the Pine Trees to start the day. Much laughter and big bass catches were shared by both Harry and Bona in Minnesota. Another favorite for her was cruising the Lake in Wisconsin (Big Sis as it's referred to by the "locals") on the Dr. Matt's Pontoon Boat and she could be seen reeling in a fish from time to time with great joy. The peaceful serenity of the evening as the sun sets over the Lake and the call of the Loons was especially a favorite of hers. If you’ve ever heard a Loon in person, you know why Bona loved them. In fact, she loved everyone and will be dearly missed. All that met her know she was blessed with a kind spirit, caring smile, love of family, friends, nature and her belief in God. Bona was truly one of God’s angels and will be forever in our hearts.

Surviving are children, Jim Doty (Stella and Boots) of DeWitt, Tom Doty (Michelle) of Bettendorf and Bob Doty (Liz) of Modesto, California; step-daughter, Phyllis (Bernie) Zerull of Dekalb, Illinois; step-son, Richard Giebelstein of Marysville, Washington; grandchildren, Jim (Leslie) Doty of Eldridge, Jesse (Niki) Doty of Milan, Illinois, Emily (Jay) Diebold of Berwyn, Illinois, Terri Bell (Jeff) of LeClaire, Bobby Glasgow (Hermes) of Oregon; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Dylan of Eldridge, Hannah, Emma and Johnathan of Milan, Jason and Holly (Marc) of Modesto, Heather Doty (Jeremy) of Boulder, Colorado, Brittney (Ryan) Bazyn of Cedar Rapids, Sydney Bell (Rio) of Moline, Illinois, Madison of LeClaire; great-great-grandchildren, Kendall Bazyn of Cedar Rapids, Nylah Austin of Moline; sisters, Janice (Larry) Lorimer of New York, JudyAnn of Minnesota; a brother, John (Jan) of St. Louis, Missouri;  nieces and nephews, Mike (Christi) Murray of Milan, Pam (Jerry) Vailencourt of Boston, Patti (Mark) Greve and Danny (Lyn) Pilkington of Cedar Rapids and Paula Ketchum of Portland.

Preceding Bona in death were her parents, her husbands, Millie Murray, brother, Charley, sister, Betty, Bob Higgins, Cora and John Galitz.

The family will receive friends at Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017.  A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the church with the Rev. Ron Rafferty officiating.  Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family asks that you make a donation to Grace Church Camp or to the family.

A special Thank You goes to John and Kay Turner (and family) of Davenport, Michigan and Washington for over 70 years of friendship, love and memories for Bona and her family.  Thank You also to all of her friends ….especially Bev, Mary, Jean, Laura, Linda, Evie and the State family, Sharon, the Meckels, Doris and Jim Vrba, the Foote's, Carol Schunter, Margaret Holgorsen family, Ruth Iossi family, the Schnauber's, the Gartelos family, Lois Fix family, Hash Bruch family, the Westwing Staff, the Team of the ICU at Genesis-East that worked so hard……(Suzanne, Paige, Titus and Dr. Wong ) and Schultz Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.