Donald Willis

Donald L. Willis, 73, of Wellsburg, passed away on Thursday, May 27 ^th , 2010 at his home in Wellsburg while under the care of the Cedar Valley Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 1 ^st , 10:30 am at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in Holland, Iowa with Pastors Larry Hoop and Larry Doughan officiating. Burial will follow at the Colfax Presbyterian Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 31 ^st from 5 to 8 pm at Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg.

Don was born on December 5, 1936 in Dows, Iowa, the son of Albert “Lyle” and Margaret (Severe) Willis. He attended school in Dows, later graduated from Dows High School. He then went on to attend college at Iowa State University in Ames, earning a 4 year degree. Don began his teaching career in the 1959 school year in Wellsburg, teaching vocational Agriculture for 5 years. He then purchased a farm east of town and began his farming career. On December 21, 1974, Don and Mardean (Hook) Albers were united in marriage at Mardean’s parents’ farm, just east of Wellsburg. The couple moved to Don’s farm after they were married. After retiring from farming, Don & Mardean moved into town.

Don was a member of the Grundy County Farm Bureau, the Grundy County Fair Board, was a 4-H leader for many years, was on the Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock School Board and was a member of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in Holland.

He enjoyed gardening, cooking, raising sheep, deer hunting, playing cards and especially loved spending time with his family. Don was a man who was friends with anybody and everybody and will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Don is survived by his wife Mardean of Wellsburg; children James (Diane) Albers of Wellsburg, Michael (Sandee) Albers of Dike, Rhonda (Mike) Myers of Dike, Jesse (Lori) Willis of Wellsburg and Jennifer (Derek) Richtsmeier of Wellsburg; grandchildren Amber, Coty & Shawn Albers, Jordan, Braxton, Trenton & Brooke Myers, Kylie, Wesley & Carlie Willis and Cole & Erin Richtsmeier; great-grandson Krayton; brothers Garth (Donna) Willis of Dows, IA and Gene (Mary Beth) Willis of Jewell, IA; mother-in-law Hazel Hook of Grundy Center; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Benjamin Hook; daughter-in-law Kimberly Albers.

Memorials may be directed to the family.