Donald Dean Manley

Donald Dean Manley was born November 9^th, 1928 in Calumet Iowa to Thomas T. and Frances W. (Lorenzen) Manley. He was a twin to Dorothy Jean (Manley) Cooper. Don grew up on a farm south of Primghar and attended grade school and high school in nearby Gaza. He was active in 4-H and High School sports, especially baseball and basketball.

On September 28^th, 1949 Don married Delores Alice Luhrs in Primghar Iowa.  For the first seven years of their marriage they lived with Don’s paternal grandfather, Jesse Manley, helping him with his farm south of Primghar.  During that time Don and Delores’ three sons were born. In 1957 Don and Delores moved east of Primghar where they farmed for a number of years. In the mid 60’s Don and Delores moved to Primghar. In the early 70’s Don built a new home in south Primghar. Delores passed away suddenly in March of 1978.  

After moving to Primghar Don’s employment included working at the Primghar wagon factory, the packing plant in Cherokee Iowa, and finally as a Road Supervisor for O’Brien County; the job he retired from after 20 years.

Don was a quiet man with a great smile and laugh.  He enjoyed golfing, playing cards and fishing. He was active in the Masons for many years. 

Don was married to Shirley Stahl from 1978 to 1990. 

Don married Ellen Farrell in 1991.  Don and Ellen retired to McAllen, Texas in the early 90’s. Together they enjoyed their home at Adobe Wells for many years: golfing, shooting pool and playing cards. While in McAllen, they loved family visits and traveling across the border into Mexico. During their years in McAllen, they would spend the summer months in Northwest Iowa, either in Primghar or Spencer.

In 2017, Don moved to the St. Luke’s Assisted Living facility in Spencer Iowa where he passed away April 6^th, 2021 at the age of 92 years.

Don is survived by his wife Ellen; three sons, Dennis (Mary) Manley, Spencer, Iowa; Phillip (Kathy) Manley, Cerulean, Kentucky; and Jeff (Rita) Manley, Sturgis, South Dakota; many grandchildren, many great-grandchildren one great-great grandchild, and four step-sons: Clete Farrell, John (Donna) Farrell, Craig Farrell and Ed Farrell. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Delores; his second wife Shirley, his parents; an older brother, T. Lee Manley, his twin sister Dorothy J. Cooper and a step-son Joel.

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