Donald M. Badger, 83, of Bagley, Iowa, passed away August 12, 2026.
Don was born September 28, 1942, to Clair Marvin and Launa B. (Miller) Badger. He grew up in the Bayard area and graduated from Bayard High School. He continued his education at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri, where he earned his college degree.
On May 3, 1963, Don married Janice Kay Sigler in Coon Rapids. The newlyweds made their first home in Maryville while Don completed his education.
In January 1965, they returned to Greene County, where Don joined his father in the family farming operation. Don and Janice became the parents of two sons, Bradley Scott and Brent Don, and together built their life on the family farm near Bagley. They shared 58 years of marriage before Janice’s death in October 2021.
Farming was far more than an occupation for Don; it was a way of life. For decades, he cared for the land and livestock and took great pride in the farm and the life his family built there. That caring nature extended well beyond the farm. Don was known for his gentle, kind demeanor and his willingness to care for those around him. He wasn’t simply a caregiver of the land and livestock – he was a caregiver to everyone he knew.
Don was an avid collector of toy tractors and pedal tractors and could often be found repairing, restoring, or tinkering with one of his treasures. There weren’t many green tractors to be found in Don’s collection – red was most definitely his color. Even during the last week of his life, Don was working on his latest pedal tractor project.
He also loved racing, from NHRA to NASCAR, but nothing compared to watching his grandson Brock race stock cars on local dirt tracks.
Don’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. To them, he was affectionately known as “Old Grampy,” a nickname Don gave himself when Kami was little. After getting down on the floor to play with her, he joked about how hard it was for “old grampy” to get back up. The name stuck, and Old Grampy he remained.
As his grandchildren grew, Don was there. He rarely missed an event, whether it was a dance competition or recital, a piano performance, a livestock show, a football game, or an evening at the dirt track watching Brock race. And with all three of his granddaughters becoming cheerleaders, Don had plenty of reason to keep a close eye on the sidelines at those football games. He was immensely proud of each of his grandchildren and took great joy in watching them discover their own interests, pursue the things they loved, and grow into adulthood. Being their Old Grampy was one of the greatest privileges of his life.
Don’s commitment to his community ran deep. He was an active member of the Greenbrier Methodist Church for many years until the church dissolved, after which he attended First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. He served for many years on the Greene County Fair Board and as a 4-H leader, giving his time to organizations and young people who were important to him and to the agricultural community he loved.
Don is survived by his sons Bradley Badger (David W. Hardy) of Lawrence, KS, and Brent (Jen) Badger of Bagley; his grandchildren Kami Hawkins (Jack), of Knoxville, TN, Abby Badger of Bagley, Brock Badger (Lexi Miller) of Perry, and Elise Badger of Bagley; his brother John (Joyce) Badger of Des Moines; his sister Mary Rogers (Jimmy) of Topeka, KS; his sister-in-law Jane Waldo of Jefferson, along with extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice Kay Badger; his parents Clair Marvin and Launa B. (Miller) Badger; and his brother James Richard “Jimmy” Badger.
Don leaves behind a life rooted in family, farming, service and kindness – and four grandchildren who will always know him simply as Old Grampy.
Funeral services for Don will be held August 20 at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Burial will be at Greenbrier Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family, the Greene County Fair Board, or Greene County 4-H. Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa.
