Easter, L. Donald 1919-2011

EASTER, STREYFFELER, WELLS, BAHLS, STUMP

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/10/2024 at 18:43:02

L. Donald Easter
July 25, 1919 - August 18, 2011
Born in Norwalk, IA
Resided in Des Moines, IA

L. Donald Easter of Des Moines, 92, died Thursday, August 18 after a full and happy life. Services will be at 2:00 PM Sunday, August 21, at First Christian Church, with interment at Norwalk Cemetery in Norwalk following a reception at the church. Visitation is 3:00-5:00 Saturday at Iles Funeral Homes - Dunn's Chapel (2121 Grand Avenue).

Don was born July 25, 1919, in Norwalk, Iowa, the son of Albert and Emily Easter. He attended Drake University, graduating in accounting in 1940. At Drake he met Marian Streyffeler, the love of his life. They were married in 1941, and on June 1 this year celebrated 70 years of marriage. After serving in the Army Air Force during World War II, he and Marian lived their entire lives in Des Moines. They are longtime members of First Christian Church. They reared five children, emphasizing education, family, responsibility and community service.

Don devoted his career to Easter Stores and Easter Enterprises, the family business begun by his father with a single store in Norwalk. Don and his brothers grew the business into a chain of grocery stores, family centers and hardware stores across Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, with additional businesses that included trucking and the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Spencer.

Easing into retirement in the late 1980s, Don turned his attention to a wide range of community boards. He was a founding trustee and tireless supporter of the Des Moines Metro Opera. He was a trustee for Drake University and a longtime member of Des Moines Rotary. He and Marian long enjoyed Castle Club, Drake basketball, Des Moines Symphony, Drake music, Civic Music and The Playhouse, as well as the family cottage in Clear Lake. They traveled all over the world and delighted in family gatherings.

Don Easter will be dearly missed by his wife Marian, sons David (Maud) of Albany, NY, Paul (Sandy) of Des Moines, daughters Martha Easter-Wells (Kriss) of LeClaire, Jane Bahls (Steve) of Rock Island, IL, and daughter-in-law Jan Stump (Layton) of Des Moines, as well as ten grandchildren and five great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his son Dennis.

Don will be remembered for his business acumen, total integrity, quiet faith, good humor and dedication to improving the community.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ DUNN'S CHAPEL.

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To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of L. Easter, please visit our Tribute Store. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 20 Aug 2011.