March 28, 2024

Donald Donaldson

Lenox

Celebration of Life Services for Donald Eugene Donaldson, age 82, of Lenox, who died Wednesday September 10, 2014 at the Lenox Care Center were Saturday September 13, 2014, at 10 AM at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Visitation was Friday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox from 3-7 PM with the family greeting friends from 6-7 PM.  Interment was at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be directed to the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Donald (Don) Eugene Donaldson was born January 14, 1932, at the family farmstead near Lenox, Iowa  It was at this farm where Donald’s parents, Robert and Mildred (Grimm) Donaldson, taught him the value of church, farming, and compassion for his fellow man. Don loved the outdoors and first began to appreciate nature by walking the railroad tracks to and from country school.  In his eighth grade year of education, he attended school in Sharpsburg. It was at the Sharpsburg Community School where he found his true love, Betty Brown.

Don and Betty were married at the church parsonage in Bedford, Iowa, on November 14, 1951. As newlyweds, the couple worked in Clarinda, Iowa, at the State Mental Health Facility before Don was drafted into the United States Marines Corps during the Korean conflict. After serving his country, the couple returned to the Sharpsburg area to begin farming and raise their family. To this union three children were born: Craig, John, and their daughter, Donette.

Don was a quiet man, but when he spoke, most people listened. He was a devoted husband and father who loved his family very much. He loved Betty’s siblings and spouses the same way he cared for his sister and spouse.

One of the children’s favorite memories was when they were small, they would always try to convince their dad to take them to the drive-in on Wednesday night. Often times it worked if the boys had washed the car and Donette had the popcorn popped.

Don loved working with livestock and growing crops, and when his health prevented his participation, he enjoyed observing and hearing stories about the farm. He cared deeply for his community and especially his church. Don battled health issues for several years, but he remained strong in this faith until his final breath.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Betty of 62 years, children, Craig (Rebecca) Donaldson, Donette (David) Bish, Sandra Donaldson (late son, John), five grandchildren, Deanna (Quentin) Kuhns, Chelsie (Dan) Zech, Emalie (James) Hogan, Samuel Donaldson, and Caroline Bish,  three great-grandchildren, Lucey and Rubey Zech and Noah Kuhns, Aunt Arlene Grimm, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Preceding Don in death were his parents, Robert and Mildred Donaldson, son, John Donaldson, sister, Janette Daggett, and his father and mother in-law, Orville and Ruby Brown.