Larry Joseph Donaldson (1946-2018)

DONALDSON, BARBIERI, DAILEY, PRATI, KEUL

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Larry Joseph Donaldson died of heart failure Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at Mary Greeley Medical Center, where he was born on March 14, 1946. He was the son of Francis and Elsa (Barbieri) Donaldson.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Stone Brooke clubhouse located at 3816 Fletcher Boulevard in Ames.

Larry attended school at Fernald and at Milford Consolidated School before going to Nevada High School from which he graduated in 1963. He then attended and graduated from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. Larry began his career at the Highway Commission in Ames, where he worked before joining his father to farm on the Donaldson family farm. In the mid-eighties Larry went to work at Donnelley Marketing in Nevada as an Account Manager. In the nineties he went back to work at the then named Department of Transportation in Ames from which he retired in 2008.

Larry was married to Susan Dailey on March 20, 1976. They lived on the Donaldson family farm for thirty two years before moving to a town home in Ames in 2015. Larry was a trivia whiz, especially in the categories of television and movies. He was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan. He spent several hours every day on his computer and watching television. He was also an avid reader of thrillers and mysteries. He loved people and loved to entertain. Larry also loved spending time at the family vacation spot on Ten Mile Lake in Northern Minnesota.

Larry loved dogs and he and Susan had at least one dog all their married life. He loved playing with his dogs and detested animal abuse. He was an excellent wood-worker and had an expansive shop in his heated and cooled garage. He refinished several beautiful pieces of furniture from the Donaldson attic which he and Susan enjoyed in their home. He also built furniture from scratch for personal use and for others. He was a perfectionist and his work displayed his talent.

Larry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan; his brother Loren (Nancy) Donaldson and their four children, Rachel Donaldson, Nicki Prati, Joseph Donaldson, and Brian (Courtney) Donaldson; and four grandchildren. He had an especially close relationship with Rachel’s son, Michael Keul. He is also survived by Susan’s sister, Christie Dailey; and Susan’s two nieces, Sarah Dailey and Amy Dailey – Williams and their three sons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law William Dailey Jr.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to, Ten Mile Lake Association, Iowa Public Television, or Hoping Fur a Home.

Cemetery Details
Location
Nevada Municipal Cemetery
1024 1st Street
Nevada, Iowa 50201

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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