Gray, Donald 1928 - 1974

GRAY, NESHEIM, HALL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/16/2014 at 07:37:04

Lime Springs Herald, Lime Springs, Iowa, Thur., 10 Oct. 1974.

Don Gray, 46, Monona, Dies Suddenly.

Donald Gray, general manager of the Northeast Iowa Telephone Company in Monona, died suddenly at his home at Monona, Iowa, Sept. 20, 1974, at the age of 46 years, 1 month and 16 days.

Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 23, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Monona with Pastor R. D. Ehlers officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Geo. Heins at the organ and Mrs. Keith Garms, soloist. There was also congregational singing. Pall bearers were Richard Pattison, Dr. D. R. Fields, LaVerne Garms, Ottmar Bruns, Dox Coxey, Foster Koth and Gilbert F. Peglow. Burial was in Monona Lutheran Cemetery.

Donald Gray was born in Chariton, Iowa, on Aug. 4, 1928. He lived there until he was 13 years of age, when he and his family moved to Woodward, Ia. There Don attended school until his graduation in 1947. For several years he was employed by the telephone company there.

He was united in marriage to Lavonne Nesheim of Frost, Minnesota, in (1948-9).

Mr. Gray was employed by the telephone company at Thompson, Iowa, for several years and then they moved to Lime Springs, Iowa, where Don was local manager for seven years. In 1961, he became General Manager of the Northeast Iowa Telephone Company in Monona and he guided the company from the old switchboard to the dial system and later to the DDD or Direct Distance Dialing. It was through his efforts that the Luana-Monona-Farmersburg and St. Olaf Companies were consolidated into the Northeast Iowa Telephone Co.

Mr. Gray took an active part in Monona community and church affairs. He was active in the Monona Commercial Club, the Monona Kiwanis Club and St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was also well known for his work in the Democratic party. Don was dearly loved by all the community.

He is survived by his wife Lavonne, and three sons; Terry of Des Moines, Rodney and Gregory at home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gray of Woodward, Iowa; two brothers, John Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz., and Keith of Greenfield, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. Melvin (Sarah) Hall of Des Moines, Iowa.

When in Lime Springs, Don was extremely active in school, church, scouts, pool and civic affairs, and leaves a host of friends here.

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Submitter is not related.

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