Helble, Donald William

HELBLE, PORTER, KRAUSE, LINGWALL, AHLSTRAND, BROWN, ENLOW, DUFFY, HILDEBRAND, LANGY, JOHNSTON

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 3/16/2010 at 15:48:55

The Clinton Herald
March 3, 2010
Donald William Helble
CNHI

DeWitt — DEWITT — Mr. Donald William Helble, 91, DeWitt, died Sunday evening, February 28, 2010, at Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt.

Donald was born on the Helble family farm in rural Princeton, Iowa, on November 17, 1918, to Walter and Lottie Porter Helble. He graduated from DeWitt Community High School in 1936. He then attended Iowa State University where he majored in animal husbandry. While at ISU, Donald was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

After college, Donald was drafted into the United States Army and served active duty from December, 1941 until December 1945. He served as technical sergeant, veterinary technician in the 1961st Service Command Unit at Camp Lockett, California, caring for the 9th, 10th, and 11th Calvary Post on the Mexican Border. He received the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Donald married Helen Jeanne Krause on July 26, 1941. She died on September 23, 1983. He later married Lois Lingwall on May 24, 1985.

After World War II, Donald returned home to DeWitt, Iowa, and began his successful farming career on the Helble family farm. He raised Angus beef, Hereford feeder cattle and feeder pigs. He also raised corn and beans. Donald was an active member of the Iowa Farm Bureau. He served for many years on the Finance Committee at the DeWitt United Methodist Church and on the Methodist Men’s Club Committee.

Donald will be remembered for his philanthropic generosity. He is a member of the Cornerstone Society at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, where he established the Helen Jeanne Helble Memorial Scholarship for elementary education majors. He also established the Donald W. Helble Scholarship at Iowa State University for agriculture majors from Clinton County, Iowa, and the Helble Family Scholarship at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, for elementary education majors.

Donald also established the Helen Jeanne Helble Endowment Fund for the Central Community Education Foundation, which will benefit both teachers and students in reading.

He is a major sponsor for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake in Winona, Minnesota. He also served as a major sponsor for the Crop Walk in Winona, Minnesota.

He also has endowed the DeWitt United Methodist Church.

Donald loved following the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams.

Donald is survived by his wife, Lois; his daughter, Donna Jeanne Helble of Winona, Minnesota; and two stepdaughters, Chris (David) Ahlstrand and Marcia (Rick) Brown. He has a niece, Lynne Enlow and nephew, Steve Duffy. He also has a sister-in-law, Marian Hildebrand. There are four stepgrandchilren.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Jeanne; his parents, Walter and Lottie Helble; his foster sister, Rosetta Langy; and niece, Karen Johnston.

Family and friends will be received at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010, at the United Methodist Church, DeWitt. The Rev. Chuck Kelsey will officiate. Burial with military rites by the Eugene McManus American Legion Post #238 of DeWitt will be at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. Memorials may be designated to Westwing Place or the United Methodist Church of DeWitt.

Pallbearers will be Richard Azinger, David Bauer, Alan Curtis, Ben Curtis, David Curtis, David Deke, Steve Duffy and Louis Schoening. Honorary pallbearers will be Dean Barber, Ivan Barber, Ralph Braun, Bill Carstensen, Mark Cleveland, Dan Condon, Arthur Frey, Fred Gerdes, Jeff Gravert, Dr. E.T. Helble, Roger Hill, Glen McCulloh, Murl McCulloh, Robert McCulloh, Richard McCurdy, Craig Schmidt, Norm Schroder, Malcolm Schroeder, E. Alan Spies and Bill Stahmer.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.

Death date: Feb. 28, 2010