Donald Nathan Pochter (2021)

LAUFENBERG, LIPMAN, POCHTER, SHAPIRO

Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:37

Iles Dunn Chapel
Des Moines, Iowa

Donald Pochter

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather Donald Nathan Pochter, age 88 passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him on February 11, 2021. He was the son of Des Moines natives Dan and Mary Pochter. He was born on September 23, 1932. Don grew up in Winterset, Iowa with his three sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Marcia. Don and his parents were lifelong members of Beth El Jacob Synagogue. As a young teen Don achieved the coveted Eagle Scout award. The family later moved back to Des Moines to be part of a larger Jewish community. He graduated from Roosevelt High School.

Don attended Drake University where he graduated with a degree in accounting and became a successful Certified Public Accountant. While at Drake he was in ROTC and joined the Air Force during the Korean war. He later earned an MBA from Drake University.

After the military while bringing his younger sister Marcia to a train station he met the love of his life, Ronna Shapiro. They were happily married for 58 wonderful years. Don’s passion was always his family. Don was respected for his compassion, integrity, and wisdom.

As a CPA, Don audited grain elevators throughout the state of Iowa. He knew every small town in Iowa and every road leading there. He enjoyed presenting reports to the COOP Boards of Directors and building friendships with farmers. This led to his love of farming. In 1981 he purchased his first farm in Milo, Iowa. He loved farming and subsequently purchased five additional farms. Don loved the beauty of Iowa farmland, building ponds on every property so he could enjoy fishing. Every year Don held an annual family Pochter Picnic at his farm that the entire family looked forward to.

Don is survived by his wife Ronna, daughter Andi (Jeff) Lipman and their children Arielle, Dani, Meier, and Asher Lipman; daughter Cathie Pochter and her children Spencer, Kayla, and Shae Laufenberg; and son Scott Pochter.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM via live stream through the Iles website, ilescares.com. The service will be attended by family only due to COVID. Due to Don’s appreciation of higher education, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Donald Pochter Scholarship fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines.

Don will be greatly missed and forever loved by all who knew him.

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