Donald F. Vanersvelde

Donald F. VanErsvelde, age 87, of Brooklyn, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brooklyn from 8:30 a.m., until 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m., with Father Scott Foley officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous or Shriners Hospital for Children. Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn is caring for Don and his family.

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma; his children Diane (Roger) Formanek of Belle Plaine, Karol (Dan) Roller of Sigourney, and Angie (Curt) Kriegel of Hartwick; eight grandchildren, Mindy (Nate) Venz of Indianola, Haley (Pat) Ayers of David City, NE., Kacie (Matt) McCahen of Hudson, Travis (Jen) Kriegel of Belle Plaine, Emily (Scott) Riedel of Hartwick, Kassidy (Dan) Arp of Traer, Megan (Ethan) Abbott of Lone Tree, Kelli Formanek of Victor; and 12 great-grandchildren, Grace, Logan, Harper, Kaden, Landin, Hunter, Van, Violet, Cael, Ava, Lexi, and Austyn; siblings, Donna (Clarence) Miller, Tom VanErsvelde, Judy Wardak, Mary Carlson, Bob (Connie) VanErsvelde, and Doris (Steve) Benson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a son Danny in 2009, great-grandchildren, Luke, Ivy and Lainey Riedel, and a sister, Jane Kriegel.

Donald F. VanErsvelde was born November 4, 1936, on the family farm south of Brooklyn, the son of Frank and Sylvia Williams VanErsvelde. He attended Scott No. 6 Country School through the 8 ^th grade right across the road from his home. After graduating from the 8 ^th grade, he went to work on the family farm. As a teenager he also helped a local bricklayer. Don met the love of his life Norma Gregory at the roller-skating rink in Brooklyn, and they were united in marriage on November 30, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. After they were married Don worked as a hired hand for Fisk Farms from 1960 to 1967. He tended the family farm, growing crops, raising dairy cattle, hogs and beef cow/calf until 2021. Don was member of the Poweshiek County Dairy Association, the Poweshiek County Pork Producers, St. Patrick Parish Council, St. Patrick Scholarship Foundation and the BGM School Board. In his free time Don enjoyed trapping, hunting coyotes and raccoons with his dogs. He played several years on slow pitch softball and bowling leagues, as well as spending time in the garden. Don dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always keeping snacks and candy in his John Deere 8320R tractor for them.