Deleina Gordon

Deleina Gordon

Deleina Gordon, longtime resident of Fort Dodge, died on Monday, April 28, 2008at the Tompkins Health Center of Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  She would have celebrated her 89th birthday on May 21st.  She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Madson and their four-year-old son Gary, both dying in 1946.  In 1947 she married her husband of 47 years, Lyle R. Gordon, who died on December 21, 1993.  They had a great marriage and life together.

Deleina was active in many things focused around church, community and family.  She was the mother of two sons, Victor, a pastor in Huntington Beach, California and Wayne, a pastor in inner city Chicago.  She was a devoted mother to her sons and their wives, Sue and Anne.    She also was devoted to her seven grandchildren who include Joshua and his wife Linette, of Wichita, Kansas, Nathan, Jonathan and Joy of Huntington Beach and Angela, Andrew and his wife Stacy and Austin of Chicago. 

Deleina had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel.  She sought to live her life for Christ and His causes, and her family, while they will miss her deeply, rejoices that she is now with her Lord.  As a follower of Christ she was heavily involved in the First Baptist Church of Fort Dodge for many years.  She was a leader in the church and served in many capacities.  She loved to use her gifts of leadership, cooking and quilting for service in the church. 

When the boys were established in school, Deleina began a career as the Welcome Wagon hostess for Fort Dodge.  In this capacity she welcomed many new people to Fort Dodge.  Out of her Welcome Wagon work came a long time affiliation with Ridgewood Bowling Lanes, where she worked until her retirement in 2006.  She also devoted many years of service volunteering with Home Incorporated, where she helped many Fort Dodge residents find housing and furnishings. 

Deleina has been recognized as an important contributor to the health of the Fort Dodge community.  For example, in 1994 she was awarded “The Golden Pin Award” for her love of bowling, in 1997 Deleina received the “Dr. Martin Luther King Service Award” for being a local drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.  In 1998 she was given the “Most Respected Citizen of the Year” by the Fort Dodge Dragoons as well as the Seratoma International “Service to Mankind Award” for her significant and meritorious Service to Mankind.  Deleina has given her life to the betterment of society and alleviating human suffering and pain

Funeral services will be held for Deleina at First Baptist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Thursday, May 8th at 10:00a.m.  There will be opportunity for viewing at 9:00a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be given to one of the following: First Baptist Church of Fort Dodge, Friendship Haven of Fort Dodge, Beachpoint Church of Huntington Beach, California or Lawndale Community Church of Chicago.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home