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Donald Eugene Powers
1922 - 2011

Don Powers, the son of William and Minnie (Kutz) Powers, was born November 19, 1922 at Rockwell City, Iowa and departed this life July 16, 2011 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa. He lived his life to the age of 88 years, 7 months and 27 days.

Don was raised on a farm east of Rockwell City, attended school and graduated from the Rockwell City High School in 1941.

On July 3, 1946, Donald Powers was united in marriage to Margaret Traner at Carroll, Iowa. To this union were born six children; Jayne (Larry) Hested of Geneva, Illinois, Lynda (Dick) Pawlowski of Panora, Iowa, Mary (Gene) Gutshall of Lake City, Iowa, Tom (Sharyl) Powers of Jefferson, Iowa, Nancy (Gary) Carlson of Clive, Iowa and Sharon (Brent) Black of Nevada, Iowa. After their marriage, Don and Margaret farmed and raised cattle near Rockwell City and Lohrville. In their later years, Don and Margaret spent 32 winters in Magic Valley Trailer Park at Weslaco, Texas. Don retired from farming in 1985 and moved to Jefferson in 1989.
Don was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson and the Jefferson Elks Lodge #2306. Don enjoyed playing golf and cards, shuffleboard, horseshoes and shooting pool.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, six children, 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James, a sister, Maxine Minnihan and a son-in-law, Lynn Dial.

Mass of the Christian burial was celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson with Rev. Father Donald Ries officiating, Eucharistic Ministers; Brent Black, Cathy Minnihan and Gene Gutshall, Readers; Ashley Carlson and Jennifer Swayne and Gift Bearers, Amy Carlson and Jalene Werth. Burial was made in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson. Musical selections, “Here I Am Lord”, “Come to Me”, Gift of Finest Wheat” and “How Great Thou Art” were sung by soloist, Robert Schwarzkopf and accompanied by organist, Rhena Lane. A Vigil for the Deceased was held Monday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the Brown Funeral Home in Jefferson.

Serving as casket bearers were grandsons; Todd Pawlowski, Jeremy Gutshall, Trent Powers, Bryce Black, Colynn Black and nephew, Jim Minnihan. Serving as honorary casket bearers were Wayne Lind, Chuck Harmon, Dwight Lehman, Bud (Francis) Tasler, Dub (Warder) Hillhouse and Bill Berger.

The family requests memorials to be given to Homeward Hospice, Greene County Medical Center or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jefferson.

Visitation from 4 to 7 PM Monday at the Brown Funeral Home in Jefferson with a Vigil Service at 7 PM.