Abens, Donald Raymond

AHENS, LERETTE, POPE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2005 at 18:25:50

Mass of Christian Burial services for Donald Raymond Abens, 64, of Knoxville, who died on Thursday, August 17, 2000 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, were held on Monday, August 21 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville. Reverend Philip Cardenzana officiated at the services. Katie Davis was soloist. Jim Kidder was organist. Music was also provided by St. Anthony's Choir.

Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Casket bearers were Vance Crosby, Jim Wells, Giles Jay, Jim Pope, Pat Moss and Walt Lankford.

Don was born in Aurora, Ill., on September 6, 1935, the son of Clarence and Mildred LeRette Abens.

He graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Illinois. In 1957, he graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport. He later took graduate studies at the University of Colorado and Michigan State University.

Don married Dolores Pope on June 4, 1955 in Davenport.

Don headed the Chamber of Commerce in Aurora, Joliet, and Dixon, Ill. and the Manufacturers Association of Ocala, Fla. After moving to Knoxville in 1979, he was a management consultant for Batten and Batten in Des Moines and most recently was Advertising Manager for the Pella Chronicle Newspaper.

Don was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville.

He enjoyed playing in his own dance band in high school and college and continued to play as a hobby. He was also an avid golfer.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of Knoxville; five sons and four daughters-in-law, Daniel of Rochester, N.Y., Doug and Lisa of Manson, Dave and Deb of Aberdeen, S.D., Dennis and Stacy of Knoxville, and Darren and Jodi of Des Moines; five daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Jim Manthey of Channahon, Ill., Diane and Eric King of Middleburg, Fla., Denise and Pat Flattery of Knoxville, Dawn and Jeff Odegaard of Granger, and Doreen and Jim Sheen of Kearney, Neb.; twenty grandchildren; sister-in-law, Angelene and her husband Ted Kappes of New Mexico; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Arrangements were made by Evans-McCleery Funeral Home.

Knoxville Journal Express, August 29, 2000