Donald Miner

Obituary For Donald Miner

Donald Dale Miner, 86, passed away on February 9, 2025.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church (510 E. 1st St.) in Ankeny. His life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, also at the church, with livestreaming being offered at https://www.olih.org/news/current-livestream. Burial will follow at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

Don, nicknamed “Joe” as a child, was born July 6, 1938, to Warren "Jack" and Mildred (Voelker) Miner with his twin brother Duane “Dewey” on their family farm in Randalia, Iowa. He grew up in a large, close-knit family where he experienced many adventures and created countless fun stories to share over the years. Don graduated from Randalia High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Army on October 23,1956, serving until 1959. He was united in marriage to Gladys Demuth on January 27,1962. Don and Gladys welcomed four children over the years, Beth, Rod, Doug and Shawn. They first made their home in Waterloo and Gilbertville before moving to Ankeny in 1967, when Don was transferred with Kent Feed to their Altoona Plant. Don went on to have a long successful career with Kent Feed and retired in 2000. At Kent he was highly respected for his commitment and hard work. In retirement, he enjoyed a second career being a bus driver for Ankeny Community Schools for fifteen years where he found joy interacting with students and sports teams he transported, along with his fellow drivers.

Don and Gladys were longtime members of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, where Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He faithfully cheered on the Iowa Hawkeyes, held season football tickets for many years and attended numerous bowl games. His last in-person game at Kinnick was during the 2023 season. Without question, his favorite role in life was being a loving and proud husband, father, grandfather and just recently, great-grandfather. Don and Gladys were always there to watch their children and grandchildren at all events whether it was sports, show choir, school functions or special milestones, they were there to support and celebrate their loved ones.

Don will be missed by his loving family, daughter, Beth of Iowa City; sons, Rod (Jyll) Miner of Johnston, Doug (Nikki) Miner of Ankeny, and Shawn (Carolyn) Miner of Johnston; sister, Shirley (Chuck) Hegseth; brother, Gerald (Carol) Miner; sisters-in-law, Donna Miner Amfahr, Arlene (Willard) Adolphs, Becky Demuth and Maryann Demuth; grandchildren, Joscelyn (Kyle) Lamalie, Gwendolyn Miner, Emily Miner, Weston Miner, Allison Miner, Magdelyn Miner, Claire Miner, and Sam Miner; great-grandson, Kallahan Lamalie; and many special nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; parents; sister, Barb (Gordon) Lauer; brothers, Robert, and Kenneth (Carol); twin brother, Duane “Dewey” (Marilyn); nephews, Brooks Miner, Wade Miner, Aaron Mechtel, Dion Hegseth, Tim Demuth and David Demuth.

The Miner family appreciates your kind support. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Don’s name to the OLIH Foundation or the Food Bank of Iowa.

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Services

Visitation

Feb

17

Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church

510 E. 1st St
Ankeny, Iowa 50021

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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Mass of Christian Burial

Feb

18

Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church

510 E. 1st St
Ankeny, Iowa 50021

10:30 AM

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