Donald Elser

Donald Alois Elser was born March 29, 1932, the son of Alois & Wally Sippl Elser. Don attended the Moneta Consolidated School, graduating in 1949. He entered the military and served with the US Army in the Korean Conflict until 1954. Don was a lifelong resident of the Moneta area, living on the family farm since he was three years old. Farming, dairy, and raising livestock were his beloved occupations. Don died on the family farm doing what he loved to do on September 22, 2008, at the age of 76. On April 26, 1962, Don married Bonnie Lee Small. Don & Bonnie were blessed with seven daughters. Bonnie died December 27, 1969. Don was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus at Spencer, Iowa. He served on the Parish Council at St. Louis Catholic Church in Royal, Iowa. Don loved visiting with family, friends and was always ready to get into a card game with someone. On July 25, 1992, Don married Shirley Anne Kunkel at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hartley, Iowa, and added to his family six step-children. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, his parents, Alois & Wally Elser, and his brothers, William and Martin. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley, his daughters and their families: Rita Elser of Sioux City, Iowa, Mary & Phil Kunkel of Overland Park, Kansas, Marie Elser & Bob Blumenshine of St. Louis, Missouri, Ruth & Chris Hagedorn of Dickens, Iowa, Donna & Mark Baysinger of Allen, Texas, Judy & Mike Pezzetti of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Peggy & Scott Johnson of Spencer, Iowa. His step-children and their families are Julie & Galen Sampson of Primghar, Iowa, Dan & Starlet Kunkel of Colorado Springs, CO, Tom & Linda Kunkel of Hartley, IA, Randy & Debbie Kunkel of Colorado Springs, CO, Phil & Mary Kunkel of Overland Park, KS, and Mark & Dawn Kunkel of Balaton, MN. Dear to Don's heart are his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Marcus Hagedorn, John Hagedorn, Tom Hagedorn, Dustin Baysinger, Colton Baysinger, Caleb Baysinger, Patrick Kunkel, Adam Kunkel, Donnie Pezzetti, Brady Pezzetti, Daniel Johnson, Elle Johnson, Ted Sampson, Anne Hagen, Katie Keen, Tiki Cribb, Alicia Kunkel, Michael Kunkel, John Kunkel, Steven Kunkel, Justin Kunkel, Josh Yording, Melanie Yording, Kelsey Kunkel, Parker Kunkel, Jordan Kunkel, Ortiz Cribb, Brennan Sampson, Madalyn Sampson and Keaton Sampson. Don has one sister, Mary Lou & David Fennessey of Long Beach, CA, sister-in-law, Joan Elser, of Long Beach, CA, sister-in-law, Mary Lou & Bill Dickey of Brandon, SD, brother-in-law, Dick Small of Roanoke, VA, sister-in-law, Anita Small of Sioux City, IA, sisters-in-law, Marlene Westphalen of Spencer, IA, Audrey Stromberg of Ames, IA, Jeannette & Jim Boever, Betty & George Wittkop both of Remsen, IA; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.

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