Caskey, Donald Leroy 1931 - 2007

CASKEY, SNYDER, TRUDEAU

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2010 at 13:10:01

Donald “Don” Caskey, 75 of Akron, Iowa passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 9, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2007 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron, Iowa. Monsignor Richard Zenk will celebrate. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Visitations will be after 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007 with the family present after 6:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home – Schroeder Chapel in Akron, Iowa.

Casket bearers will be his 8 sons.

Donald LeRoy Caskey was born October 2, 1931 on his maternal grandparents farm near Burbank, South Dakota, the son of Charles and Lucille (Trudeau) Caskey. He attended school in Akron and graduated from Akron High School in 1951. After graduation, he worked for his father in the gravel hauling business. Don was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Snyder on October 29, 1951 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron. Together, they are the parents of 12 children.

In 1952, he bought his father’s farm-to-market trucking business, later expanding to hauling hogs to Hygrade on the west coast and bringing lumber back. He owned and operated Liquid Carriers, Inc. in Akron for many years. For his over 40 years in the trucking business, Don received a plaque for being a Farm to Market Pioneer Trucker. He retired in 1994.

Don's greatest passion in life was aviation. He was a pilot for over 40 years. He loved flying with his grandchildren and buzzing his home at 531 North 7th Street. He was the head of the Akron Airport for many years. Don was inspirational in getting the first medical clinic in Akron and was charter member of the Akron Country Club. He enjoyed playing golf every year, and looked forward to the annual Caskey Golf Tournament. Last year, Don shot his first hole in one. Don was president of the Skoon Skinners Club in Akron for many years. Each year, Don and Mary Ellen enjoyed their summers in Okoboji with their family and wintering in Arizona. He was a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs. Don loved his family and friends; he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of over 55 years, Mary Ellen; his children: Sherry Granstrom and her husband Tom of Torrance, CA, Mike Caskey and his wife Mary of Akron, IA, K. Louis Caskey of Blue Springs, MO, Pat Caskey and his wife Marisue of Kansas City, MO, Bonnie Ruebel and her husband Rick of Waverly, IA, Rick Caskey of Blue Springs, MO, Lisa Johnson and her husband Michael of Maplewood, MN, Cindy Nitzschke and her husband Dave of North Sioux City, SD, Tom Caskey and his wife Dawn of West Des Moines, IA, Tony Caskey and his wife Jan of Carmel, IN, James Caskey and his wife Stephanie of Chandler, AZ, and Matt Caskey and his wife Nikki of Kansas City, MO; his 25 grandchildren: Jessica Koedam and her husband Justin, Joe Caskey, Brandon Caskey, Elliot Granstrom, Kristen Caskey, Ashley Caskey, Jennifer Johnson, Staci Ruebel, Aaron Caskey, Kendra Johnson, Joshua Ruebel, Megan Ruebel, Josie Caskey, Hannah Gilgus, Joseph Caskey, Brian Caskey, Brittany Caskey, Emily Caskey, Nicholas Nitzschke, Natalie Caskey, Katrina Caskey, Andrew Caskey, Allen Caskey, Avery Caskey, and Grace Caskey; one great-grandchild: Austyn Koedam; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Snyder of San Jose, CA, Susie Caskey of Ireton, IA, and Patricia Caskey of Sioux City, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: Dick Caskey and Chuck Caskey.

Courtsey of Carlsen Funeral Home Akron, Iowa