Don Canfield
CANFIELD, BOYENGA, SLINKARD, GIROUX, JONES, DRAHOZAL, ELSON, JEPSON
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/1/2017 at 15:10:40
Don Canfield, 78, of Iowa City, passed away Monday, October 30, 2017, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence
Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. Funeral services will begin Friday at 11:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Private burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa CIty.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oaknoll Foundation (to benefit the Employee Scholarship Fund) or Iowa City Hospice.
Don was born March 5, 1939, in Grundy Center, the son of Kenneth and Lucille (Boyenga) Canfield. Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Don was a member of the last graduating class of McKinley High School in 1957. On July 1, 1961, Don married Phyllis Slinkard at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids.
Don began working in his neighborhood grocery store at the age of 12. He began his 35 year career with Hy-Vee in 1960, in Cedar Rapids. After spending time in Kirksville, Missouri he took a two year leave of absence to serve in the United States Army. His first assignment, as store manager, was in Albany, Missouri in 1966. In 1972 he transferred to Marion, Iowa and then to Iowa City in 1974, spending 19 years at Iowa City #2, (First Avenue and Rochester). Don took great pride in his employees and customers. He liked to say he was in the people business and just sold groceries on the side. Don was well respected in the Hy-Vee community and was a mentor to many. He was named Store Manager of the Year in 1993, and was awarded the Chairman's Humanitarian Award in 1996. He retired in 1995, after winding up his career serving two years at the Waterfront Hy-Vee, in Iowa City.
Don was very passionate about the Iowa City area and gave back to the community, touching the lives of many. He had a great interest in supporting the youth of Iowa City, including Boy Scouts and City High Booster Club. Don was presented the Service of Youth Award by the Iowa City Chamber in 1985. Other community activities included Rotary (President of the Tuesday, AM Club and Assistant Governor of District 6000), Iowa City Chamber Of Commerce, serving as President in 1989, he also served as President of Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and served on the boards of Kirkwood Community College Foundation, Mercy Hospital Foundation, and the Visiting Nurses' Association.
His career and serving his community was important to Don, but his favorite role was that of husband, dad, and grandpa.
After retirement Don and Phyllis spent time at Kelly Greens in Fort Myers, Florida. Don enjoyed golfing, traveling, studying the Civil War, music and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Don is survived by his wife Phyllis of 56 years, and sons, Jeffrey (Robyn) of Omaha, Nebraska and their children, Taylor (Blake) Giroux and R. Michael; and David (Jacinda) of Branson, Missouri and their children, Jena (Jake) Jones, Lindsay, Chloe (and her sons AJ and Ivan), Philip and Ashton; siblings, Carol Drahozal, Ted Elson-Canfield, Tim (Michele) Canfield and Cathy Canfield-Jepson.
Don is preceded in death by his parents and Phyllis' parents Phil and Juanita Slinkard.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Oaknoll and Iowa City Hospice for their exceptional care of Don and their compassionate support.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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