Louden, Donald Jacob Jr. 1945-2017

LOUDEN, BREEDEN, ALLGOOD, JORDAN, BALL, SCHILDS, CADE, OBRIEN, WHIFFEN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/11/2017 at 21:50:50

Smith Funeral Home Obituaries
Grinnell, Iowa

DONALD J. LOUDEN

Donald J. Louden, Jr., age 71, of Grinnell died on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at University Park Health Care Center in Des Moines.

A public graveside service with military honors will be held on 11:30 a.m., Friday, June 9, 2017, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Grinnell with Rev. Christine Tinker officiating.

A public visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the Puppy Jake Foundation and mailed to PO Box 12115, Des Moines, IA 50312. Condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com.

Donald J. Louden, Jr. was born the son of Donald Jacob Louden and Miriam Elizabeth (Breeden) Louden on June 24, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1963. He attended the North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, where he earned his BA degree in Political Science and played football.

Don was united in marriage to Carol Allgood-Jordan in 1963 and the couple was blessed with a son, Martin Eugene Louden. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1964. He was united in marriage to Betty Lucille Ball in 1967 and the couple was blessed with two children, Laura and Brian. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1972. In 1976, he was united in marriage to Beverly Schilds-Cade and he adopted her two daughters, Audra and Scarlett. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Don honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was the recipient of the Purple Heart. He was wounded in action and returned to the United States, where he served the rest of his tour at Fort Hood Army Base in Fort Hood, Texas. He lived most of his adult life in Dallas, Texas as a financial officer and lived a short while in Colorado and Utah. Following his retirement in 2007, Don returned to live in Grinnell.

Don was a gifted athlete all-around and loved playing football and basketball in his younger years and was an avid golfer throughout his life until his health prevented him from playing. He enjoyed watching sporting events on television, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved to socialize and enjoyed the company of his good friends.

Don is survived b his sister, Elizabeth (Daniel) O'Brien of Springfield, Illinois; sons, Martin Louden of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, and Brian Louden of Houston, Texas; daughter, Laura Louden-Whiffen of Montmorency, VIC, Australia; adopted daughters, Audra Louden and Scarlett Johnson; two grandchildren, Aaron and Kaitlyn Wiffen; two nephews, Peter O'Brien of Fargo, North Dakota and Timothy (Abby Shaddox) O'Brien of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; niece, Anne (James Dankovich) O'Brien of Arlington, Virginia; and great nieces, Marie and Rosalie Dankovich. He was preceded in death by his parents.