Pilgrim, Donald Harry Dr. 1929 - 2016
PILGRIM, OLSEN, FUHRMAN, KITTLESON, HUINKER, HJERLEID, JEWELL, HELZER, SCHROEHER, BLACK, BUCH, TANGEN, WEDEMEIER, HELZER, PILGRIM-BROWN, WORDEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/26/2016 at 11:06:50
Dr. Donald H. Pilgrim, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Luther College in Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully at his home with his six daughters at his side on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at the age of 86.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 26, 2016, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Pastor Amy Larson officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah later this spring.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church.
Donald Harry Pilgrim was born on May 31, 1929 in Sioux City, Iowa, to Harold and Charlotte (Olsen) Pilgrim. Don graduated from South Sioux High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Morningside College. He earned his Master of Science Degree from the University of Iowa and his Doctorate of Philosophy in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin.
Don was married to Virginia Lee (Fuhrman) Pilgrim on June 17, 1956; they were married 52 years. They were blessed with six daughters: Suzanne, Kim, twins Julie and Paula, Mary and Martha.
Don worked as a mathematics teacher at Paulina High School and Keokuk Community College in Iowa. From 1956 to 1991, he was a Professor of Mathematics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Virginia and Don then retired and lived in Bella Vista, Arkansas for 17 years. Virginia passed away on March 25, 2008. Don stayed in Bella Vista for one more year before moving back to Decorah for the remainder of his life. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, golfing, reading, music, and doing crossword puzzles. He was also actively involved in his church memberships.
Don is survived by his six daughters: Suzanne Lee Kittelson and husband Randy of Golden, Colorado; Kim Lee Huinker and husband, Mike of Decorah, Iowa; twins, Julie Marie Hjerleid and husband Gavin of Mallard, Iowa, and Paula Ann Jewell and husband Bobby of Decorah, Iowa; Mary Pilgrim Helzer of Decorah, Iowa; and Martha Lynn Pilgrim and husband Joshua of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Grandchildren: Jeremy Kittelson, Joshua Kittelson and wife Allison; Hannah (Huinker) Schroeher and husband John, Lydia Huinker and fiance Brian Black, Dane Huinker and girlfriend Taylor Nelson; Gannon Hjerleid and girlfriend Alex Mullen, Taylor (Hjerleid) Buch and husband Brandon, Logan Hjerleid, Payton Hjerleid; Jessica (Jewell) Tangen and husband Mike, Samantha (Jewell) Wedemeier and husband Tyler, Robby Jewell and girlfriend Jordyn Dudek, Josey Jewell and girlfriend Micole Lansing; Ames, Myla, and Murray Helzer; Roy Pilgrim and girlfriend Aviva Steigmeyer, Reyes, Solomon, twins Leaf and Roald Pilgrim-Brown. Great-grandchildren: Bodin, Jack, Gunner, Ryder, and Abel Kittelson; Jack Schroeher; Gracelynn, Jaden, and Virginia Tangen. Nephew Jeffery Pilgrim and niece Kellie Worden.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Virginia; parents Harold and Charlotte Pilgrim; brother Neil Pilgrim; and grandson Garrett Hjerleid.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to WMC Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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