Don Joseph Gatens

PETERS

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 11/3/2003 at 11:47:47

Don J. Gatens, 75 of 640 Larch Lane, Iowa City died Thursday October 30, 2003 at his winter home in Hillsboro Beach, FL following a short illness.

Don was born February 13, 1928 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Daniel and Anna Peter Gatens. He was united in marriage to Marylou Manion on August 27, 1949 at St. Benedict’s Church in Evansville, Indiana.

Don graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1949 with a degree in business. He was a loyal but quiet Notre Dame fan in Hawkeye Country.

For many years Don was in business with his father Dan, brother Edmund and brother Harold at the Iowa City Sales Co; a cattle auction barn that stood where the present Hills Bank and Trust is located at Gilbert Street and Highway 6.
After the Sale Barn closed Don continued the cattle business as Gatens Cattle Co. on the farm where he had grown up, and where his son Mike and his family now reside.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Marquette Council 842 Knights of Columbus, Iowa City Elks Lodge and the Deerfield Country Club in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Don was a proud family man. His three children knew a loving father and his eight grandchildren knew a granddad who was always there for them, and supported them in all they did.

Don is survived by his wife Marylou of Iowa City; His daughter; Marysue Manis of Hillsboro Beach, Florida and her sons Chad, Josh and Michael; His sons; Steve Gatens and his wife Nancy of Dallas, Texas and their children Sarah and Marty; Mike Gatens and his wife Julie of Iowa City and their children Nicole, Megan and Matt; His brother; Harold of San Antonio, Texas
Three brother-in-laws; Earl Riley and his wife Diane of Iowa City, Jim Manion and his wife Mary of Eddyville, Kentucky and Charles Manion of Evansville, Indiana

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Irene Riley and Mary Ellen Gatens; one brother and his wife, Edmund and Mary Virginia Gatens; two sister-in-laws, Norma Gatens and Catherine Manion; and his nephew Dan Gatens.

Memorials may be directed to the Catholic Community Foundation for Regina High School Athletics, the Iowa City Community School District Foundation for the City and West High Athletics or a charity of the donor’s choice.