A memorial service was held Sunday, Feb. 26, at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson for Donald Dean Sievers, 67, of Jefferson.
The Rev Sheldon Henderson of Central Christian Church in Jefferson offered words of comfort. Honorary bearers were his Oly’s coffee group and Ken Hessenius.
Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.
Donald Dean Sievers was born Oct. 13, 1949, to Ralph “Dane” Sievers and Clara (Woodall) Sievers in Atlantic, IA. He died of pancreatic cancer Feb. 20, 2017, at the age of 67.
Don grew up on the family farm in rural Walnut. He attended school in Avoca and graduated in 1967. Shortly after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a communications specialist, and achieved the rank of sergeant while serving in Aschaffenburg, Germany.
After he returned from the service in 1972, he met Suzanne Whitaker, a home economics teacher at Walnut High School. They were married on May 26, 1974. Don attended Iowa Western Community College from 1972-1974, and later transferred to Iowa State University and completed his degree in fisheries and wildlife biology.
Don and Suzanne moved to Jefferson in 1975. Don built their home with the help of friends and family. They raised their three children, Shelby, Chris, and Ashley in this home. He was a wonderful father who always encouraged his children to pursue their interests and supported them unconditionally.
He worked for the Department of Natural Resources at Springbrook Conservation Education Center in Guthrie Center for 34 years. He retired in 2012.
Don was an avid fisherman and huntsman. He enjoyed spending time outdoors watching wildlife and cruising the countryside. He loved coffee time at Oly’s, spending time with his grandkids, wine-making, scratching lottery tickets, and golfing with good friends.
Don was preceded in death by his brothers Max Sievers and Gary Sievers; his sisters Sheryl Patwardhan and Donna Jean Sievers; and his parents Ralph “Dane” Sievers and Clara Sievers.
Survivors include his wife, Suzanne of Jefferson; Children Shelby (Rod) VanNordstrand of Council Bluffs, Chris (Calista) Sievers of Ankeny, and Ashley Sievers of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Reed, Madelyn, and Kinley; brothers Jim Sievers (Theresa Kardell) of Avoca, Doug (Sherri) Sievers of Des Moines, Dick (Sue) Sievers of Remsen, and Walt (Rose) Sievers of Walnut; sisters Verla (Larry) Smith of Council Bluffs and Janelle (Rich) Brei of Jackson, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
