White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

GILBERTVILLE – Joanne Rita Gleason, 86 years old, of Gilbertville, Iowa, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at UnityPoint – Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa from complications after suffering a stroke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, October 16, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville, with Fr. Douglas J. Loecke, celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Gilbertville.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 2026, at White Funeral Home, Jesup, Iowa, where there will be a rosary said at 4:00 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

Joanne was born April 5, 1940, in Elma Iowa, the daughter of John Peter Orthaus and Olivia Welimina (Huegel) Orthaus. Joanne grew up on the family farm in rural North Washington, Iowa. She attended parochial school there and graduated from North Washington High School in 1958. On September 1, 1959, Joanne was united in marriage to Richard E. Gleason at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in North Washington. In 1966, they built their forever home in Gilbertville, IA. Joanne wore many HAT’S over the years. In her younger years she was a nanny, later cleaning Immaculate Conception Church and grade school (with Dick) in Gilbertville, just to name a few. Joanne’s true passion was being a mother, grandmother, and then a great grandmother. She enjoyed baking, canning, gardening, sewing, square dancing, and making countless afghans and quilts for family and friends. She enjoyed her trips to Branson, MO, a good game of cards, and seeing the first robin of the season. Joanne was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville, Rosary Society, Quilting Club, and Independence Merry Mixers Square Dance Club.

Joanne is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Richard Gleason of Gilbertville; three daughters, Luann (Mark Verhyen) Schilling of Appleton, WI, Jean Gilbert of Mason City, IA, Kathy (Stephen) Zander of Cross Plains, WI; four sons, Patrick (Teresa) Gleason of North Washington, IA, Michael (Rhonda) Gleason, Neil (Kenda) Gleason, Kevin (Renee) Gleason all of La Porte City, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas (Marilyn) Orthaus of Central City, IA, and John (Eileen) Orthaus of Grimes, IA; one sister, Linda (William) Noehl of New Hampton, IA; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Orthaus of Rochester, MN, and Therese Orthaus of Ionia, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Marlys Jean Gleason in infancy; two sisters, Sr. Kathleen Orthaus, O.S.F. and Louise (Robert) Jones; three brothers, Gerald Orthaus, Richard (Phyllis) Orthaus, William Orthaus; two grand-daughters, Brandy Schilling and Elicia Gleason; and two great grandchildren.

Memorials will be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Sisters of St. Francis of The Holy Family in Dubuque, IA (Sister’s Water Project).

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.

White Funeral Home, Jesup, Iowa, is caring for the family.