Don Deuel

Eagle Grove – Donald Irving Deuel, the son of Irving and Evelyn (Fuller) Deuel, was born on August 21, 1940, in Lake City, Iowa. He graduated from Lake City High School with the “Class of 1959”.

Don served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War ~ August 1959 to August 1963, serving on the USS Bon Homme Richard Aircraft carrier.

On September 14, 1966, Don was united in marriage with Lavonne Malaise in Vermillion, SD. The couple lived in Webster City, Woolstock, Vincent and moved to Eagle Grove in 2011. They also enjoyed spending many winters in Florida.

Don went to work for Franklin’s in Webster City in 1969 and retired from Electrolux in 2002. He also worked for Ryerson Auctioneering for many years.

Don was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving as Chair of the Trustees for many years and as the “Handy Man” – fixing whatever was broken! He was also a member and active leader of the Eagle Grove V.F.W and Commander of the Woolstock American Legion, serving as Honor Guard for many funerals. Don served as a Trustee for the Veteran’s Memorial Tower and was active in bringing the deceased veteran’s board to Rose Hill Cemetery. In 2019 Don was able to take the WW II Memorial Honor Flight. He was avidly involved in the renovations of Memorial Hall. In 2020, Don received the Allbaugh Citizenship Award from the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce given for his uncompensated volunteer community service. Don co-founded the board for the improvement of Cottonwood Cemetery in his home town of Lake City.

Don enjoyed reading westerns, football (Vikings & Iowa State), working on “everyone’s” house projects, teaching the grandchildren and had an enthusiasm for Architecture – especially for older homes. He loved going to his grandkids’ sporting and school events and cheered them on from the stands. He could frequently be seen at many local sporting events on any given day. Cheering for and supporting everyone. Don was helping hands to anyone who needed it. A leader, a man of wise words, and the finest example of a family man, a family he loved with all he had.

Don passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at the age of 82 years young. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Janice Altemeier (Norman); infant brother, Kenneth Deuel and nephew, Kenneth Troxel.

Don is survived by his wife, Lavonne; sons, Scott Deuel (Kia) of Fort Dodge and Jerry Deuel (Heather) of Webster City; daughter, Lisa Heinemann (John) of Miramar, FL; six grandchildren: Zach (Tiffany) Deuel, Alex (Ashley) Deuel, Jacob Deuel, Niko Fernandez, Tenley Deuel and Bria Deuel; great grandson, Jase Deuel; brother, Jim Deuel of Lake City; sisters, Shirley Miller of Urbandale and Linda Ames of Henderson, NV and brother-in-law, Raymond Malaise (Judy) of Webster City, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove. Visitation was Sunday from 3 – 5 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.