Donald Eugene Visser Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Donald E. Visser, age 83, of Pella, Iowa, passed away Friday evening, November 13, 2015, at the Pella Hospice Comfort House. As Don wished, his body has been cremated and visitation will begin on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 1:00 P.M., at the First Baptist Church of Pella. Donald’s family will be greeting friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time. A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at 3:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Pella, with Pastor Bill McDonald officiating. Directly following services military honors will be held. Donald was born on March 12, 1932, to Gerrit M. and Gertrude (Bishop) Visser, at home on the farm on the Des Moines River Bottom, of Marion County, Iowa. He attended East River Ridge School on the Gerrit Visser farm. After school Donald worked on the family farm and also for Rowley Anderson, delivering coal to Des Moines. On October 18, 1950 in Knoxville, Iowa, Donald and Donna Glenadean Cowman were united in marriage. They have shared 65 years of marriage and were blessed with five children: Sharla, Randy, Gay, Gary, and Lisa. Donald enlisted in the United States Air Force in February of 1952. He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Louisiana when at home. He was a mechanic for a C-130 and he travelled all over the world, especially Africa, Iceland, and the Azore Base. After his service Donald and his family, (Donna, and children Sharla and Randy), moved back to rural Pella were Don began working at Rolscreen. Donald worked maintenance and blade sharpening in the tool room. He retired after 37 years of work and a few call backs from Pella Corp. Don enjoyed the outdoors. He especially enjoyed the, “Going to Camp”, trips with his family on the Des Moines River. He fished, hunted, trapped and rock hunted. He loved his family and made special time for his kids and grandkids activities. He helped teach and show them many outdoor skills. Donald is survived by his wife Donna of rural Pella; two sons, Randy (Sue) Visser, of Pella, Gary Visser, of Pella, two daughters, Sharla (Mike) Brooks of Tracy, Lisa (Brian) Metcalf of Pella; one son-in-law, Arvin TerLouw; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. Don is also survived by his siblings, Cathy Husted of Knoxville and Mary Mattson of Pella. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerrit and Gertrude Visser; his daughter, Gay TerLouw; one great-grandson, Clayton Helland; three brothers, Robert, Phillip, and Martin Visser; one sister Loretta Goad; and one son-in-law, Larry D. Newendorp. A memorial in Donald’s memory may be given to the Hospice Comfort House of Pella or the Pella Food Shelf. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com . The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting Don’s family with services.

Donald Eugene Visser

March 12, 1932 - November 13, 2015