Orville Donald Gloden (1925-2010)

GLODEN, NEMMERS, BENSON, PETERSON, KENNEDY

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 10/18/2016 at 00:07:29

ORVILLE DONALD GLODEN

Orville Donald Nichols Gloden was the oldest of two children born on a farm near Hospers, Iowa on April 8, 1925 to John and Hilda (Nemmers) Gloden. He received his education in a country school near Hospers.

Don served honorably in the United States Army during World War II, where among his accommodations he was awarded two Purple hearts during his duty as an infantry soldier. After his discharge on May 14, 1946, he returned to home and worked for Fred Verschoor for a year and then worked for George Kersten.

On December 13, 1947, Don was united in marriage to Betty J. Benson in Detroit, Michigan. The couple made their home on a farm near Archer and in 1960, they moved to a farm near George, Iowa, Don also worked for Virgil Ohl Construction of Archer and bar tendered at night at Hollanders Inn in Boyden. Demonstrating dedicated work ethic on the family farm for 60 years and in the dairy business, he worked sun-rise to sun-set to provide for his family. No corn row was ever straight enough, or a weed to be found in his fields. A passion he persevered even in his laborious last breaths, he said, “I need to get out to plant the corn.” Orville instilled God’s will right from the start to his family of five and the importance of never missing mass and keeping God the top of their pyramid.

Betty preceded him in death on February 13, 1984 in Sheldon, Iowa. Don remained on the farm until moving in with his daughter, Denise in March of 2008. Don joined loved ones in heaven, Sunday, July 18, 2010 at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reaching the age of 85 years, 3 months and 10 days.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheldon. He was a past member and of the Sibley & Ashton Knights of Columbus, the Sheldon Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Sheldon Eagles Club. He enjoyed collecting unique cars like his “58” Buick, eagles and John Deere memorabilia were his treasures. Licorice snaps, pickled pig’s feet, pickled herring and treipen were treats he never turned down. Another past-time, playing rounds of rummy and his ability to conveniently forget how to play when it favored him was always a factor. He was a memorable man, known for his sharp mind and long-held tight grip handshake, which he never lost even in his final hours here on earth. Don was a devoted husband, father of four, and a dedicated farmer.

He leaves to cherish his memory his 3 children, Donna and her husband, Bill Peterson of Sgt. Bluff, IA; Denise and her husband, Tim Kennedy Sr. of Round Lake, MN and Danny Gloden of Hull, IA; 13 grandchildren, [redacted]; and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; a daughter, Darlene Gloden on October 9, 2009; a granddaughter, Brooke Elizabeth Peterson; and a brother, Jerome Gloden.

VanderPloeg Funeral Home