Donna Sick died, Aug. 11, 2025, at 6:55am at Hansen House in Council Bluffs. Donna was born in Iowa City, to Jack W. Gardner and Dorothy Roeding Carey on Dec. 5, 1948. She was adopted at 4 years old by William and Ruby Sorensen. They lived on a farm near Anita. She graduated from Anita High School in 1968. She was united in marriage on Nov. 18, 1968, to Alfred Sick Jr and to this union three children were born, William, Jack, and Rebecca.
Donna and Alfred first lived in Colorado Springs, Colo. so that Alfred could finish his service in the Army following Vietnam. They then lived in Wiota for a time, finally settling in Atlantic for around 17 years. A few years lived in Council Bluffs and when it came time for her mother Ruby to stay with them full time they moved to Magnolia in 1989.
For many years, Donna was a homemaker. She worked for Commercial Optical in Omaha, Midlands living Center in Council Bluffs, Good Shepherd Home and Crowell Home, in Blair, Neb.
Donna loved going to garage sales, laughing with her lifelong best friend, Phyllis Frisbee Pierce. Donna enjoyed watching her favorite soap opera for many years. Donna also loved her animals and had many, many dogs and cats throughout her life. As a child growing up on a farm, she even had a cow that would follow her around.
At 19, she reunited with her birth father Jack W. Gardner. They had many happy years as Father and Daughter.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband Alfred Sick Jr. of 43 years; her birth father Jack W. Gardner; her birth mother Dorothy Roeding Carey; her adopted parents William and Ruby Sorensen; her lifelong best friend, Phyllis Frisbie Pierce; brother-in-laws, Melvin Sick and Edwin Sick; nephew Brion Sick; sister-in-laws, Patsy Sick, Jean Sick, and Maxine Sick; half-sisters, Sandy K Carey, Kathy Carey, and Dixie Carey.
Donna is survived by her children; William Sick, wife Maria, & grandson Michael of Blair, Neb.; son Jack of Magnolia, who cared for his mom and dad; her daughter Rebecca Cates, husband Jamen, & grandsons Damen and Drake of Magnolia; sister Vikki Vega of Cedar Rapids; nephew Trevor Vega, and niece Tammy Vega; brother-in-law Will Sick of Shelby; nephew Wade Sick, wife Brandy of Creston; niece Tammy Trebesh, husband Steve; nephew David Sick, wife Lisa. She is also survived by half siblings, Eva Carey, James Carey, Victor Carey, and Brien Carey of Illinois; many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.
A graveside service was held on Aug. 14, 2025, at the Minden Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home, Missouri Valley.
