Kerr, Donald Calvin (1917 - 2012)

KERR, SORENSEN, VENNINK, HOSS, PETERSON, CORNWELL, MCKEIGHAN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 3/31/2012 at 23:13:41

Submitted by Marthann Kohl, posted by permission

KERR, DONALD CALVIN - - August 16, 1917 - March 23, 2012

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Suorce: kjan.com

DONALD KERR, 94, of Manilla (Svcs. 3-29-12)

Obituaries March 23rd, 2012 by Chris Parks

DONALD KERR, 94, of Manilla died Friday, March 23rd, 2012 at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center. Funeral services for DONALD KERR will be held 10:30-a.m. Thu., March 29th, at the United Church of Manilla. Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 3-p.m. Wed., March 28th, where a Masonic service begins at 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manning.

DONALD KERR is survived by:
His sons – Michael (Jane) Kerr, of Pleasonton, CA; & Alex Kerr, of Seattle, WA.;
His daughter – Sandra (Don) Sorensen, of Fayetteville, NC;
7 grandchildren & 2 great-grandchildren.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Source: knodfm.com

Funeral services for 94 year old Donald Kerr of Manilla will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, March 29 at the United Church of Manilla. Burial will be in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla. Donald passed away on Friday, March 23 at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center. Survivors include 2 sons: Michael (Jane) Kerr of Pleasanton, CA and Alex Kerr of Seattle, WA; 1 daughter: Sandra (Don) Sorensen of Fayetteville, NC; 7 Grandchildren; and 2 Great-Grandchildren. The Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla is in charge of arrangements where friends may call after 3pm on Wednesday, March 28 and a Masonic Memorial service will begin at 7pm.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Source: Ohde Funeral Home

Donald Kerr
August 16, 1917 - March 23, 2012

Donald Calvin, son of Francis L. and Charlotte M. (Vennink) Kerr, was born August 16, 1917, on the farm in Shelby County, south of Manilla, Iowa. He graduated as the salutatorian from Manilla High School and attended business college in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he also worked on a train for the railroad post office. At the age of 19 after four lessons, Don earned his solo pilot’s license. Don served as a Captain and Squadron Leader in the United States Air Force from 1941 to 1945. He flew C47 airplanes during WWII, and then served in the reserves for twelve years. Don flew for American Airlines for two years following his honorable discharge.

Don was united in marriage with Helyn M. Hoss on September 19, 1939, at Carroll. Three children were born to this union. They lived various places in the United States while Donald was in the military. They farmed southeast of Manilla after 1948. Helyn died in 1984. Don was united in marriage with Jean Peterson on January 31, 1987, at Elliott. She died in January of 2012.

Don flew his own airplane from the “farm airport” until 1980. He also enjoyed playing cards, reading, golf and building models. Don had a great sense of humor and would stop work to watch his favorite cartoons: Huckleberry Hound, Bullwinkle, and Peabody and his boy Sherman. He had a nickname for most people in his life. In his retirement, Don enjoyed wintering in Arizona. He was an active member for over 50 years of the Masonic Lodge, as well as a member of the V.F.W. and National Rifle Association. Don attended the United Church in Manilla.

On Christmas Eve 2009, Don moved to the Manilla Manor Nursing Home. After just a week in and out of the hospital, he died suddenly and unexpectedly at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa, on Friday, March 23, 2012. Don was 94 years, 7 months and 7 days of age.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Helyn Kerr; wife Jean Kerr; and sisters Madelyn Cornwell (Glen) and Rachel McKeighan (Bill).

Don is survived by his children: Michael Kerr (Jane) of Pleasanton, CA; Alex Kerr and fiancé Janella Swanson of Seattle, WA; and Sandra Sorensen (Don) of Fayetteville, NC; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to Don’s granddaughter, Kristen Sorenson, to offset expenses as she awaits a heart/lung transplant. Checks may be sent to Sandy Sorensen, 1829 Bryn Mawr Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Casket Bearers
ALEX KERR
MICHAEL KERR
NICHOLAS KERR
TIMOTHY KERR
JEREMY STANGL
DUANE STANGL

Honorary Casket Bearers
GARY DELAROND
DAVID HEMMINGER

Interment with Military Honors
NISHNABOTNA CEMETERY, MANILLA, IOWA
AMERICAN LEGION POST 132

Visitation and Prayers
Wednesday March 28, 2012, after 3:00 p.m.
Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla
MASONIC Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service
Thursday March 29, 2012, 10:30 a.m.
United Church of Manilla
Visitation will resume at church after 9:30 a.m.

Interment
Thursday March 29, 2012
Nishnabotna Cemetery