Menninga, Donald Wayne 1945-2006

MENNINGA, ROUW

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:23:46

Donald Wayne Menninga was the last of four children that were born to Henry S. and Minnie Rouw Menninga.

He was born on December 3, 1945, at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Don was baptized at the Otley Christian Reformed Church in Otley, Iowa. Don's parents faithfully attended to his needs as a young lad and provided an environment on the farm, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Don lived on the family farm with his parents near Otley until the Christian Opportunity Center was established in Pella, Iowa. Don was one of the first C.O.C. clients, both at the sheltered workshop and later as a resident in the first group home. Don found employment working at the Recycling Center, Strawtown and the Pella Corporation. He enjoyed having jobs, often several a week. He always greeted everyone with a big hello and a smile and had frequent recognition for outstanding work on the job. Don was very proud of his participation in the Special Olympics where he received many blue and red ribbons. Tulip Time was fun for him too, often having a seat on the C.O.C. float. He also enjoyed attending a special outdoor camp for a week each summer.

The Christian Opportunity Center was a positive influence on his life, giving him the opportunity to live and develop to his full potential. Don was a 'people person' who had many friends. He enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, rug hooking, eating, singing hymns loudly and of course off-key, going fishing and riding his bicycle. Don's physical needs eventually required more assistance and in July of 2002 he became a resident in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella.

Don passed away there on Saturday morning, May 27, 2006 at the age of 60 years, five months and 24 days. The family wishes to acknowledge the Staff and Nurses there for their dedicated and attentive loving care shown to him through out his illness.

One of Don's favorite things was traveling by air to visit his family who survive him. They are his sister, Luella, and her husband, Roger L. Warnshuis, Jr. and their two daughters and their husbands: Beth and Jack Shimko, Jane and Thomas Heiden all of Grand Rapids, Michigan; his brother, Howard L. Menninga and his wife, Arlene of Laughlin, Nevada and their three children: Sheila and her husband, Robert Vander Woude of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Bruce Menninga and his wife, Sharon of Phoenix, Arizona; Gary Menninga of Idaho Falls, Idaho; along with several great-nieces and great- nephews. Special friends and loving care givers are Bernard and Lois Van Zante of Otley, Iowa.

Don was preceded in death by his parents: his mother, Minnie Menninga, who passed away in 1976, his father, Henry Menninga, who passed away in 1981; and his sister, B. Shirley Menninga, who passed away in 1975. Don made profession of his faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella in 1985 and at the time of his death was under the care of the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, June 26, 2006