Donald "Don" Gene Gladson

June 17, 1943 - January 10, 2022

Donald “Don” Gene Gladson, age 78, of Albia, passed away on January 10, 2022, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia, under the care of EveryStep Hospice. Don was born on June 17, 1943, to Leo and Esther (Courtney) Gladson Sr. at home in Hiteman, Iowa. He grew up and graduated from Albia High School. On April 4, 1963 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Joyce Gragg. To this union, four children were born, Deanna, Donna, Doris and Todd. Joyce and Don shared 54 years of marriage together before her passing on July 27, 2017. After graduating from high school, Don owned and operated Gladson Tire Shop in Lovilia before going to work driving a truck for Franzen Trucking. Don later went to work at Johnson Machine in Chariton and lastly worked on bridge construction for Cunningham & Reis all over Iowa for many years. Don enjoyed being outdoors and working on things, especially tractors. He was very talented at fabrication and welding and made numerous trailers over the years. Family was everything to Don and he cherished the time spent with them, especially his grandchildren whom he loved to spoil with cheese, ice cream, fruit roll ups and blue juice. Don is survived by his children, Donna (David) Van Ee of Leighton, Doris Gladson of Albia and Todd (Jessica) Gladson of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren, Bradley (Amanda) Van Ee, Julie (Adam) Rooda, Mackenzie (Dylan McBurney) Metier, and Hailey Gladson; 1 great grandchild, Citori; and 3 siblings, Carol (Kenneth) Rae, Sue Doughit, and Pat Fillman. Don is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; a daughter, Deanna Kay Gladson; his parents, Leo and Esther; and 6 siblings, Stan, Cliff, Leo, Glenn, Juanita, and Ruth. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Don's family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Chaplin Gordon Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow services at Oak View Cemetery in Albia. An open memorial has been established to be determined at a later date.