Don Reese

Don Eldon Reese, 91, of Madrid, died peacefully on October 21, 2022 at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa.

Don was born on February 24, 1931 to Melvin Reese and Grace (Lehman) Reese in Ringgold County, Iowa. The family farmed near Mt. Ayr, Iowa until moving to Story County in 1945. In 1947 the family moved to a farm south of Sheldahl where Don helped his father and brothers with the farming. In 1951, Don became a member of the Army, becoming a M-47 tank driver. Don served as a Corporal in the Trieste United States Troops (TRUST Troopers) mobilized in Italy.

In 1953 Don returned to Iowa, marrying Velma Buche in 1954. They resided in Sheldahl and continued to farm with his father south of Sheldahl. Moving to the Sheldahl farmstead in 1957, they raised three children, before moving to Velma’s birthplace and farmstead east of Madrid in 1996.

Don enjoyed baseball, fishing, drives through the Ledges and countryside, and visits from his children and grandchildren. In 2013, Don participated in the 5th Veteran’s History Project at American Institute for Business. The project documented Don’s military service with pictures and memories of before and during his service and after his discharge. The manuscript entitled “ten HUT”, prepared with loving care by his wife Velma, was submitted to the Washington D.C. Library of Congress as part of the project.

Don is survived by his daughter Carol (Tim) Gumm of Ankeny; sons Ron (Mary Jo) Reese of Woodward; and Bruce (Kelly Reed) Reese of Waukee; his brothers Max Reese of Davenport and Roy (Marilyn) Reese of Des Moines. Don will be missed by his grandchildren Curt, Justin, Nick, Brandon, and Jennifer; and his great grandchildren he was so delighted in seeing; Evan, Brecken, Adeline, Etta, and Emilia.

Don was preceded in death by wife Velma; his daughter Linda Kay; his grandson Cameron Owen; his parents; sister Neva Doty, and infant brother Kenneth.

Graveside services for family and friends will be held on Sunday, November 13 at 11 a.m. at the Sheldahl Cemetery, NW 158th Ave, Polk City. No memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the Madrid Fire Department EMS or the Sheldahl United Methodist Church. Cards and memories may be sent to Don’s family at 3305 N.W. Reinhart Drive in Ankeny, IA, 50023.

Our family would like to thank the staff at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone for their care and attention given to Don during his stay. A big thank you to the nurses and chaplain and staff at the Suncrest Home Health and Hospice unit in Ames. Their care, understanding, and direction in the last weeks were so greatly appreciated.