White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Ruth Marie Donnelly, 83 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at the Virginia Gay Hospital Nursing and Rehab Center in Vinton, Iowa.  She was born on October 5, 1928, in Quasqueton, Iowa, the daughter of Frank William and Vera Winifred (Melick) Gapinski.  She graduated from high school in Quasqueton with the Class of 1945.  She and John Richard Donnelly were married on May 9, 1949, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  Mrs. Donnelly did clerical work for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the Farmers State Savings Bank, and the Middle School in Independence.  She retired in 1985.  Mrs. Donnelly was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Wapsipinicon Golf Club.  She and her husband enjoyed winters in Texas and time spent at their cabin on the river.  Mrs. Donnelly also enjoyed playing Bridge, line dancing, and cooking.  Goulash and beans were one of her specialties.  She is also remembered as an excellent care giver and mother.

Mrs. Donnelly is survived by her husband of 67 years, John, 1 daughter, Kathy (Mark) Mossman of Vinton, Iowa, 4 sons, Mike (Deb) Donnelly, Andy (Penny) Donnelly, and Richard Donnelly, all of Independence, Iowa, and Tom (Jackie) Donnelly of Garrison, Iowa, 8 grandchildren, John Mossman, Ben Donnelly, Jared Donnelly, Brian Hunter, Chris Donnelly, Brittany Donnelly, Katie Donnelly, and Brian Miller, 6 great grandchildren, and 2 brothers, Dave (Sandra) Gapinski of Hazleton, PA, and Don (Florence) Gapinski of Anamosa, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 1 grandson, Burns Mossman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2012, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  Rev. Donald Plamondon will be the Celebrant.  Friends may call for visitation from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23^rd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Parish Rosary begins at 3 p.m.  Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.  A Memorial Fund has been established for the Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab Center in Vinton, Iowa.