Our Staff

Donna Henderson, F.D.

Funeral Director/Owner

Donna obtained her license initially in Atlanta, GA and worked as lead funeral director and office manager for Alfonso Dawson's Mortuary. She returned to Des Moines in 2002 and became licensed in Iowa. She has owned Henderson's Funeral Service since 2002 She has 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Donna is a Deaconess in her church and stays active with community functions. She loves reading, drawing and listening to music. Helping hurting families is a ministry for her.

Telephone: 1-515-309-6550

Email: Donna@hendersonshp.com

Walt Henderson III

Administrative Assistant

Walt is Walt and Donna's oldest son.  In addition to assisting his parents at Henderson's, Walt is also an event planner and owns his own business, VioDoug Entertainment.  In Walt's spare time, he loves to travel, meet new people and cook.

Email: Walt@hendersonshp.com

Matthew Gilgen, F.D.

Funeral Director

Matthew Gilgen has been a Licensed Funeral Director for 5 years, completing his studies in Mortuary Science at DMACC. Matthew Gilgen, has worked in Marshalltown and Reinbeck as a funeral director and an insurance liaison, and has been with the company since 2016. With his Shakespearean Theatre, and smooth sense of style and swagger.. Matthew brings an air of professionalism, theatrical floetry and vaingloriousness to any service that he directs, making it is easy to see why he is a very cherished and valued member of our staff. .. He's a newly married father of 3 who is a talented cook, enjoys kayaking, and is gifted in songwriting and playing the guitar. 

Email: matthew@hendersonshp.com

Jermain Henderson

Funeral Assistant

Jermain is the next generation of Henderson's to serve our community. He loves working with young people, and has three children of his own. He hopes to soon complete studies at DMACC in Mortuary Science.

Email: Jermain@hendersonshp.com

Lori Ann Brooks

Funeral Assistant

Funeral service is a family affair. Lori is Walt's sister and Jermain's mother. She loves music and shopping for others. She also has a daughter and three grandchildren.

Herbert Williams

Funeral Assistant/Fleet Manager

Herbert Williams Jr. has had a love of cars for years, so it is easy to see why he would be our Fleet manager. Herbert attended Lincoln College in 1997, majoring in The Principles of Sociology and Environmental Biotechnology. His hobbies include collecting cars, and serving his church family.

Deb Breeden

Accountant

Deb Breeden is our accounting wiz with over 30 years of experience and well versed in multiple accounting systems. Deb previously worked in Mount Pleasant and we are very lucky to have as a part of the team. She is a mother and grandmother who loves spending her free time with her family and fishing.
Email: Accounting@hendersonshp.com

Pam Long

Funeral Assistant/ Insurance Liason

Pam has over 40 years of claims processing experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield and has been serving God's people for most of her adult life. Her soft spoken and kind mannerisms are felt and appreciated by not only staff, but by all that interact with her. Always a team player and a self starter, it's easy to see why Pam is an asset to the company. Pam is a Bible Study Teacher, and in her spare time she enjoys long walks and reading her Bible.

Terrance Butts

Funeral Assistant

Terrance currently is employed full time as the Outpatient Surgery Liaison at Methodist Medical Center. He is the Youth Pastor at Christ Apostolic Church, is marraied and has 6 children.  It is his dream to one day attend mortuary school.