Fred R. Donisthorpe
Carol, My deepest sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your brother.
Rose Mary Erusha
Cedar Rapids
IA
I am so sorry for your loss. I was very lucky to have got to know Fred and his family. Fred taught me how to play Kings Corners and how he would snicker when he would win! I loved playing card games and checkers with him when we had leisure time. Two of my fondest memories was when he got to hold my children when they were babies. The proud smile he gave them and the gentleness with which he held them. My life is richer because of knowing Fred. I know deep in my heart that he is now walking hand in hand with Jesus and his parents! My prayers are with you all. May God be with you and hold you close in this time of sorrow. Sincerely Tracy McNamara
Tracy McNamara
waterloo
IA
Tracy McNamara
IA
I was Fred's teacher at Country View for 14 years. Fred was a joy to teach. He loved to learn. His favorite subject was math. Fred always looked forward to the two days a week he would attend school. He worked on reading, math, and the computer. He always made my day better with his wonderful attitude. I will miss Fred. He made a difference in my life. May God give your family peace during this time of mourning for a wonderful man. Janice Walker
Janice Walker
Waverly
IA
Fred was an independant man. He enjoyed a bowl of rasin bran @ breakfast, a cup of coffee @ lunch, and was always up for a diet pop. He enjoyed working at Goodwill and in the last few years he worked here at Country View folding and shredding paper. Fred had a sense of humor. On better days I had the pleasure of hearing him sing Big Bad John. He looked forward to visiting his sister & brother-in-law. He often spoke of his dad and how much he missed him. Now he will be with him always.
Theresa Bickner
Waterloo
IA
I enjoyed working with Fred.
Duane Shelton
IA
Fred taught me how to play Kings corner. He could be very competative at times, but never did he glorify in victory. He was just ready to play again! Fred was always thinking about something. He enjoyed math and would often count out his "work" during voc. training. He was always reasoning one thing or another. I admired Fred's determination and enjoyed his friendship throughout his years at Country View. I will always think of him when I see rasins, Diet Dr. Pepper, or hear the song "Big John" (no one can sing it the way Fred did). Fred, thank-you for touching my life, may you have eternal peace & happiness!!! Your friend, Jenny
Jenny Picken
IA
hi just a note to say how sorry iam for the lose of your brother i worked with fred at country view for alot of years before i retired i remember how dad used to come out and bring fred goodies and sometimes he'd share he's in heaven with mom and dad know and he has no more pain and is laughing again i'm sending my condolences pat simmons
pat simmons
cedar falls
IA
Carol and family you have my condolences. Fred was not just a client he was my friend. I'll never forget the first time that I met Fred he told me that I reminded him of Lucille Ball. From that time on he referred to me as Ms. Carmichael and he was the boss Mr. Mooney. Fred and I have a great many other memories that I will cherish the rest of my life. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Fred he touched my heart. I'll miss his greetings, I'll miss hearing Big John, I'll miss his voice and his smile but mostly I'll miss my friend Fred.
Linda Billick
Waterloo
IA
I am sorry for your loss, my condolences. I had the pleasure of working with Fred from 2000-2004 at Country View. My fondest memory is hearing him sing "Big John".
Sarah Wagner
Waterloo
IA
For everyone: I met Fred over 9 years ago when I started at Country View. He was my first client and I got to know him well over the years. Like those before me that have signed this book, Fred was more than a "client", "consumer" or "resident". He was family in every sense of the word, save blood. We shared the joy of his accomplishments, the disappointment of his defeats, his grief at his loss of his parents, his pride at jobs well done and his determination to do things well. He had a difficult life....one filled with many challenges. Ones that were mostly met by determination but always with a lot of heart. I admired that strength of will that he always had and his memory will be held in my heart always. To Fred: I'm so honored that I was with you in the end. That I was able to tell you of my pride, my love and the love of others, the blessing you were in our lives. Thank you for all the gifts you gave me over the years: your crooked smile, your sense of humor, your rare and beautiful rendition of "Bad John", your love of family (all kinds) and everything else that made you, YOU. Your life had great meaning...for me, you filled it with purpose and made a job a life...a facility a home. You helped me become a richer, better person for having known you. I know I'm not the only person to feel similarly blessed. While you will be greatly missed we are left behind your memory and lasting gifts of kindness, love, purpose and determination. I'm comforted with the knowledge that although you were always perfect in the eyes of God you are truely whole and perfect in heaven with your mom and dad. I love you Fred. Thank you God for giving me these last 9 years with him.
Tanya Dostart
Waterloo
IA
I offer my condolences to Fred's family. Fred was truly a genuine person and I loved his sense of humor and matter of fact responses to silly questions I would ask him at times. We will all miss you, Fred.
Kim Wagner
Waterloo
IA
Fred, I will miss your sweet smile and your "Big Bad John". Say "hello" to mom & dad for me. Barb Overlie
Barb Overlie
IA
Fred, I will miss your politeness and kindness. Tom Heit
Tom Heit
IA
I would like too offer my sincere and deepest sympathy to your family. I have worked with Fred for almost 20 years and have enjoyed every minute. Fred is a wonderful man with many great qualities. I will missed being serenaded to by Big Bad John and the constant request for raisins. Fred loved to make money and knew every penny he had to spnd. Fred I will miss you so much and enjoy your time with your Mom and Dad. God Bless You and your family. Love always. Lisa Glass Country View
Lisa Glass
IA
My heart goes out to your family. It seems as if every time you start recovery from on death, there is another. May the Lord keep you in His loving care through this time of trial. The love devoted to Fred is testament to your loss but Fred was an individual that was hard not to love. He is with family in heaven and they will give him every thing he needs, too. With the greatest sympathy, Chris Mills
Chris Mills
Cedar Rapids
IA
Carol & family, It was nice having Fred here at Country View with us. I have lived here with him for many years. I liked how he knew a lot about math and was good at counting money. I guess it was his time to go, but I will miss him. I know he liked his sister and her visits, she always brought him pop. I am sure she will miss him too. I am sorry for your loss, Steve Larsen
Steve Larsen
Waterloo
IA
I am sorry we all lost Fred. Fred was funny, he liked to joke around with the staff all the time. He also liked to work hard. He was a great man and we all will miss him. deCarlos Bradford
DeCarlos Bradford
Country View
IA
Fred was my "neighbor" at Country View. We will all miss Fred a lot. I will pray for everyone that loved Fred. Pat Nissen
Pat Nissen
Country View
IA
I hope you up to heaven already and the angels will now watch over you. I miss you very much. I am thinking you are in a nice place again. I will always be thinking of you. Your friend, Holly Hunt
Holly Hunt
Country View
IA
I worked with Fred for about 13 years and and have alot of memories of Fred. My fondest memory is at Christmas one year when Santa was handing out gifts. Santa came over to his wheelchair and Fred looked up at him and smiled. When Santa handed him his gift Fred beamed and with his slow deep voice he said "Why, thank you Santa" he giggled and took the gift. It warmed my heart that Fred genuinely believed in Santa. Those are the moments in a work day that keep us all coming back the next day and moments that stay in our hearts forever. Fred will be missed by all that loved him.