Donald Henry SEVERSON

SEVERSON, KUDEJ, KNOLL, BENSON, FORSLING, KNAACK, PIPPET, RUBIS, SMITH, WESTPHAL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/24/2009 at 15:07:10

October 19, 2000
Sioux City Journal, Iowa

Donald Henry Severson, 77, of Sioux City died Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at Countryside Retirement Center in Sioux City. Services will be 11 a.m. today at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sheryl K. Ashley officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel. Mr. Severson was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Kanawha, Iowa, the son of Henry Ole and Helen Frances (Kudej) Severson. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Europe with Company B, 1265th Engineers Battalion. He returned to the United States and spent three years recovering in different Veterans hospitals. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and received his masters degree from the University of Maryland. He also attended the University of South Dakota. He married Reah Gene Knoll on June 6, 1948. The couple moved to Sioux City in 1953. He was employed as an industrial arts teacher at East Junior High School and East High School for over 30 years. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board several different time and as an usher. He was also a member of Sioux City Education Association, Iowa Education Association, National Education Association, Disabled American Veterans, Ducks Unlimited and Kiwanis Club. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jilann Severson of Des Moines; a son and his wife, Rich and Doris of Le Mars, Iowa; a brother and his wife, Duane and Helen of Garner, Iowa; three grandchildren, Angie, Amanda and Kyrie; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Benson. Pallbearers will be Mel Forsling, Bob Knaack, Lloyd Pippet, Jerry Rubis, Marv Smith and Jim Westphal.