Kier, Donald Lee (1927-2016)
KIER, SPAINHOWER, HUMMEL, WILBUR, ILLINGWORTH, WATERS, YOST, SMITH, BEAVER, WELLS, GERDES, KOSKY, COON, SEJOUR, BROWN, OBRIEN, HAYES
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/14/2016 at 10:37:29
Donald Lee Kier
October 16, 1927 - May 13, 2016Donald L. Kier, age 88, of Newell, Iowa, died on May 13, 2016, at his home in Newell.
Donald Lee Kier was born in Denver, Missouri, on October 16, 1927, to Byron and Arlie (Spainhower) Kier. He attended grade school there while working with his father in the produce and feed business from an early age. After the family moved to Iowa, Don went on to graduate from Newton High School. Afterwards, while stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State, he, proudly, served his country in the US Army.
Don married his dear wife of fifty-two years, Doris Marie Hummel, on February 19, 1947. They, subsequently, became the parents of three sons, David, Timothy, and Stephen, and one daughter, Patricia. For several years because of Don's jobs in agriculture, they kept re-locating to various communities in Iowa. Eventually, they moved to Newell where Don traveled northwest Iowa for the Elevator Division of the Quaker Oats Company.
In September of 1970, Don and Doris began the family business known as Don's Farm Supply, now DFS, in Newell (with the help and encouragement of close friend, Harold Jorgensen). As business grew, they developed a special bond of friendship with their customers and their families. Don not only believed in putting "People First," but he also lived that motto in the way he helped and supported farming families in the community. Together, with their sons, he and Doris worked until they retired in 1992.
Very much involved in the Newell community, Don served on various boards including the Newell-Providence Community School Board, the Newell Chamber of Commerce, the local Lion's Club, and Gideon’s International, just to name a few. He had a great love for the Lord and a sincere love for people. He and his friends thoroughly enjoyed performing in the annual Newell Happening and other community events where Don and his three friends, Milton Brown, Harold Jorgensen, and Marvel Olsen, sang as the Valley Forge Four. He, also, enjoyed sharing his keen sense of humor with his impersonations of comedian Charlie Weaver.
After much encouragement from his friend, Dick Christiansen, Don realized at the age of 61 his longtime dream of obtaining a private pilot's license. For ten years, he flew for both personal and business purposes while logging about 1000 hours at the controls. Needless to say, he enjoyed flying family and friends. His grandchildren and grand dog, Barkley, especially, enjoyed the thrilling roller coasters Don did while in flight.
A member of Bethel Baptist Church at Newell, Don served on many boards and committees. He enjoyed teaching and studying the Bible in-depth, one of his great passions. In his own paraphrased way, Don rewrote many books of the Bible during his free time. Generous toward individuals and charities throughout his life, he, enthusiastically, befriended and supported many missionaries.
Each year, Don took great pleasure in wintering in Mesa, Arizona. While there, he enjoyed many hours singing with a men's quartet, performing in a 60-voice chapel choir at Mesa Regal, and taking part in the one hundred ten member East Valley Chorale. He and Doris cherished the friendships they made there and Don shared his love of poetry with many others at Mesa Regal. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, giving most of his projects to friends and family.
Don's wife, Doris, passed away suddenly on April 20, 1999. On June 15, 2002, Don married Bonita Wilbur at a ceremony in Bethel Baptist Church, Newell.
The Wilbur and Kier families had already been friends for about forty years when Bonnie lost her husband, Walter, just three weeks before Doris passed away. Together, Don and Bonnie enjoyed watching their families grow, spending time with friends in Arizona as well as with their many friends and family members in the Newell and Storm Lake area. Don, always, had a story and a friendly word to share.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Doris; one sister, Betty Illingworth, and two step-sons, Mark and Jamie Wilbur.
Don leaves behind his wife, Bonnie, of Newell; his sons, David (Jan), Tim (Joelle), Steve (Kolesa), all of Newell; one daughter, Patricia (Rusty) Kosky, of Storm Lake; two step-daughters, Nikki (Phil) Waters, of Hayward, California, and Karen (Dion) Yost, of Emporia, Kansas; and one step-daughter-in-law, Lisa Wilbur.
Together, Don and Bonnie shared fifteen grandchildren: Jennifer (Geoff) Smith, Bethany (Troy) Beaver, Jill Kier, Nathan (Chloe) Kier, Tabitha (Ryan) DeMey, Amanda (Kenyon) Brown, Tammy O'Brien, Mindy Kier and her fiancé, Austin Wells, Alex Kier, Kalee (Aaron) Gerdes, Andrew (Tara) Kosky, Rebekah Coon, Treasure (Loopen) Sejour, Abigail Yost, and Daniel Wilbur.
Their great-grandchildren include: Lydia and Michael Beaver; Kiera and Shaylee Brown; Kiannah and Jaidyn Coon; Jacob and Macy DeMey; Elijah, Keaton, and Myla Kier; Audrey, and Landyn Kosky; Madison and Megan O'Brien; Breydon, Emma and Leah Sejour; and Abigail, Caleb, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Naomi Smith.
Don also leaves one brother, Jack Kier, of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, and one sister, Connie (Russell) Hayes, of Stewartville, Minnesota, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, close friends, and members of Bonnie's extended family.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 2:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Newell. Burial will follow in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place Wednesday, May 18, 2016, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
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