Donald Lee Kier

Donald L. Kier, age 88, of Newell, Iowa died May 13, 2016 at his home in Newell. Memorial services will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Newell. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Donald Lee Kier was born in Denver, Missouri on October 16, 1927 to Byron and Arlie (Spainhower) Kier. Don attended grade school there, working with his father in the produce and feed business from an early age. The family later moved to Iowa where Don went on to graduate from Newton High School. He proudly served his country in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. Don married his dear wife of 52 years, Doris Marie Hummel, February 19, 1947. They became parents of three sons; David, Timothy, and Stephen and one daughter, Patricia. Don's jobs in agriculture kept them re-locating to various towns in Iowa for several years. Eventually, they moved to Newell where Don traveled northwest Iowa for the Elevator Division of the Quaker Oats Company. In September of 1970, Don and Doris began the family business known as Don's Farm Supply, now DFS, in Newell (with the help and encouragement of close friend, Harold Jorgensen). As business grew, a special bond of friendship was developed with their customers and their families. Don had a motto of "People First" and lived it in the way he helped and supported farming families in the community. Together, with their sons, Don and Doris worked until their retirement in 1992. Don was very involved in the Newell community, serving on various boards such as the Newell-Providence Community School Board, Newell Chamber of Commerce, the local Lion's Club, and Gideons International just to name a few. He had a great love for the Lord and a sincere love for people. He and his friends thoroughly enjoyed performing in the annual Newell Happening and other community events where Don and his three friends, Milton Brown, Harold Jorgensen, and Marvel Olsen sang as the Valley Forge Four. He also enjoyed sharing his keen sense of humor in the form of impersonations of comedian Charlie Weaver. One of Don's longtime dreams came true when after much encouragement from his friend, Dick Christiansen, Don obtained his private pilot's license at the age of 61 years. He flew both personal and private business flights for ten years while logging about 1000 hours at the controls. He enjoyed flying family and friends. His grandchildren and grand dog, Barkley, especially enjoyed the thrilling roller coasters Don did while in flight. Don was a member of Bethel Baptist Church at Newell where he served on many boards and committees. He enjoyed teaching and studying the Bible in-depth was one of his great passions. Don wrote many books of the Bible in his own paraphrased way during his free time. He enthusiastically befriended and supported many missionaries and was generous toward individuals and charities throughout his life. Wintering in Mesa, Arizona was a special highlight each year. While there, Don enjoyed many hours singing with a men's quartet, performing in a 60-voice chapel choir at Mesa Regal, and he was a part of the 110 member East Valley Chorale. They cherished the friendships they made there and Don shared his love of poetry with many others at Mesa Regal. In his spare time, Don enjoyed woodworking, giving most of his projects to friends and family. Don's wife, Doris, passed away suddenly on April 20, 1999. On June 15, 2002 Don married Bonita Wilbur at a ceremony in Bethel Baptist Church, Newell. The Wilbur and Kier families had been friends for about 40 years when Bonnie lost her husband, Walter, just three weeks before Doris passed away. Together, Don and Bonnie enjoyed watching their families grow, spending time with friends in Arizona as well as with their many friends and family members in the Newell and Storm Lake area. Don always had a story and a friendly word to share. Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Doris, one sister Betty Illingworth, and two step-sons Mark Wilbur and Jamie Wilbur. Don leaves behind wife Bonnie of Newell; sons David (Jan) of Newell, Tim (Joelle) of Newell, Steve (Kolesa) of Newell; one daughter Patricia (Rusty) Kosky of Storm Lake; two step-daughters Nikki (Phil) Waters of Hayward, California and Karen (Dion) Yost, of Emporia, Kansas; one step-daughter-in-law Lisa Wilbur. Don and Bonnie share 15 grandchildren together; Jennifer (Geoff) Smith, Bethany (Troy) Beaver, Jill Kier, Nathan (Chloe) Kier, Tabitha (Ryan) DeMey, Amanda (Kenyon) Brown, Tammy O'Brien, Mindy Kier and fiancé Austin Wells, Alex Kier, Kalee (Aaron) Gerdes, Andrew (Tara) Kosky, Rebekah Coon, Treasure (Loopen) Sejour, Abigail Yost, and Daniel Wilbur. Great-grandchildren include Caleb, Abigail, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Naomi Smith; Michael and Lydia Beaver; Elijah Kier; Myla Kier; Jacob and Macy DeMey; Shaylee and Kiera Brown; Megan and Madison O'Brien; Keaton Kier; Breydon, Audrey, and Landyn Kosky; Kiannah and Jaidyn Coon; Emma and Leah Sejour. Don also leaves one brother, Jack Kier of Fayetteville, PA and one sister, Connie (Russell) Hayes, of Stewartville, MN as well as a host of nieces and nephews and close friends and members of Bonnie's extended family.

Donald Lee Kier

October 16, 1927 - May 13, 2016