Donene Gjellstad

Bismarck

Donene “Neeno” K. Gjellstad, 64, Bismarck, formerly of Velva, ND, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 12, 2025, in her home.

Donene Kay “Neeno” Lutman was born March 26, 1961, in Carrington, ND, a daughter of Gerald and Lois (Presser) Lutman. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington. Neeno was raised in Carrington, where she attended elementary and high school, graduating from Carrington High School in 1979.

On April 4, 1981, she married Robert “Yabo” Gjellstad at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND. They moved to the Gjellstad family farm in rural Velva, where they raised their three children. While working in the restaurant industry, she helped Yabo on the farm.

She loved to garden and can. Neeno was an amazing host and cook, and together with Yabo, loved to entertain their family and friends. She cherished any moment with her children and grandchildren and loved to travel with them. She had a beautiful smile and contagious laugh and enjoyed listening to all of Yabo’s jokes.

Her family includes: her children: Jason (Amanda) Gjellstad, Angella (David) Wald, Paul (Matia) Gjellstad; grandchildren: Ella, Conrad, Brielle, Lyla, Maicey, Everly, Iver, Everett, and Millie; mother: Lois Lutman: siblings: Lyle (Deb) Lutman, Lynell Lutman, David (Julie) Lutman, Pamela Meyer, Paul Lutman, Janyce (Brad) Feist, Jenifer (Homero) Rivas, Mark Lutman, and Michael Lutman; along with several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father Gerald, husband Robert “Yabo” Gjellstad, and her father and mother-in-law.

Visitation: Monday, July 21, 2025, from 10 am until service time at the Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.

Memorial Service: Monday, July 21, 2025 at 11 am at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed by going to the link on Donene’s web page at www.thompsonlarson.com

Burial: following the service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Verendrye, ND.

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 16, 2025.