Gail Donovan

Gail Donovan, 71, of La Porte City, IA, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at La Porte City Specialty Care. Born in Cedar Falls, IA, on July 6, 1954, to the late Glen and Lila (Van Vliet) Van Vark, she graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1972. She attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) before working as a cable splicer for Northwestern Bell, US West, Quest, and retiring from CenturyLink following 49 years of service. In retirement, Gail worked for the Cedar Bend Humane Society as an Animal Control Officer for 5 years and Blain's Farm and Fleet for 2 years. Gail married Timothy Donovan in 1973; they later divorced. She married Steve Jewell in 1989; they were later divorced.

As an avid lover of all God's creatures, Gail spent much of her free time volunteering. She helped with clean-up and maintenance with the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership, the Cedar River Clean-up, and the Cedar Bend Humane Society. She also rescued many animals, particularly those aged or difficult to find homes for. She adopted burros, a mule, a miniature mule, a mammoth donkey, horses, and many, many dogs and cats. Her current four dogs, Grady, Chester, Chance, and Noodles, are already missing her.

Gail is survived by her son, Dakota Donovan; grandchildren, Sydney and Ethan Donovan; siblings, Vicki Edelnant of Cedar Falls, Ellen (Dr. Albert) Cram of Iowa City, Joel (Michele) Van Vark of Johnston, and Jay Van Vark, nomad; and nieces and nephews, Julia (Nicholas) Nenow, Noah Edelnant, Ross Cram (Dr. Lorien Batt), Alyssa Van Vark, Chelsea (Ross) Levinstein, Austin Van Vark, Audrey Van Vark-Attl (Matthew Attl), and Jared Van Vark. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Lila Van Vark, and her first husband, Timothy Donovan.

Gail's visitation will be held at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 1-2pm, followed by her memorial service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Cedar Valley Humane Society . Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences.