Daniel J. O'Donnell
November 25, 2012
Dan O’Donnell, Sr., 80, died Sunday, November 25, 2012, with family at his side, while at the Kavanagh House. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 28, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Parish Hall from 4-8 PM, with a Rosary Service at 7 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Thursday, November 29, at 10 AM, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery.
Dan was born December 24, 1931, in Elkhart, Iowa; he graduated from Dowling High School in 1949, where he earned the Aquinas Key, and then served honorably in the US Army from 1951-1953. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and had been employed at Riekes Equipment for 35 years, retiring in 1997.
Dan married Delores (Daughenbaugh) in 1951, and they raised nine children in their sixty-one years of marriage. He had been inducted into the Fort Des Moines Little League Hall of Fame, and was a member of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick where he received a lifetime achievement award, and was the 2001 recipient of the Irishman of the Year. He is the patriarch of the O’Donnell & Friends Open which has raised money for local charities for nearly twenty years, and has spent a lifetime assisting those in need.
The family would like to extend special thanks to his oncologist, Dr. Steve Heddinger, Nurse Amy Bell, as well as Dr. Michael Mosley and Nurse LeAnn Bachelder of HCI, and to all the nurses and staff at the Kavanagh House. Their kindness and dedication has helped us through this very difficult journey.
Dan is survived by his wife Delores, and the following nine children and 28 grandchildren:,son Daniel, Jr. (Kris), with children, Ellen (Jesse) Ahrens, Ashley (John) Miller, and Ben (Amber); son James (Terrie),with children Mindy and Tiffany (Davin) Holmes; son Dennis (Teri) with children Michael, Bryan (Tonja), Katie, Aron,Reimers, and Alyson Reimers; son Mark (Tonya) with children Amanda (Evan) Jones, and Ryan (Carolyn) ; son John (Rhonda) with children Shannon, Sean, Shelby, and Sydney; daughter Mary Kay (Craig) Duede with children Erin (Kevin) Hixson, Matt, Megan, and Kelsey; daughter Mary Beth (Dave) Heddinger with children Sarah, Jacob, and Mary Jess; son Gary (Sheila) with children Stephanie (Cory) Benson, and Heather (Josh) Evans; son Tim (Angela) with children Bailey, Riley and,Kalley. In addition, he is survived by,fifteen great grandchildren, with two additional on the way, as well as his sister Linda (Tom) Glas of Alcester, South Dakota, sister-in-law Carolyn O’Donnell of Tigard, Oregon, numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alphonsus, II, and Roberta, a brother, Alphonsus III, and his sister Patricia Marshall.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Tim &Sue Hatling
11/28/2012
Anyone who was meet Dan O'Donnell has been greatly blessed. You learn what giving to others means and we all can carry on his legacy by following his great examples.Keeping shining on us all Dan. You will be greatly missed.Loving thoughts to all of you!!!
robin
11/28/2012
So sorry for your loss..god only takes the best
Stan & Jeanine Lynch
11/27/2012
A true gentleman and a role model for those who had the good fortune to have known him.
Thoughts and prayers to Dee and your family.
Troy Senter
11/27/2012
Dee and family: I have such great memories growing up across from your amazing family. Those memories are some of the core memories of my childhood and I still enjoy recalling them today. In fact Vic and I just drove the neighborhood the other day when I was visiting Des Moines. How lucky we all are to have had Dan in our lives. I know this is a great loss for your family but your memories are rich and will live on forever. What a great example he set for all of us.
Diane Fletcher
11/27/2012
I have so many wonderful memories of Dan since I was a little girl. I will always remember baking cookies with Dee to send them to Dan in Korea. I remember all the fun family picnics, the luau and the buried pig for their 25th anniversary, the romantic scene the children set up for you two in the trailer...just so you could have some privacy. Dan was a stern but good and kind father and when he spoke, the children listened. Youn could see how much he loved them. His kindness, generosity and goodness went beyond his family and into the lives of many others. He was involved in many charitable organizations and the best known of these was what his own family started (O'Donnell and Friends Open)..
I have admired and respected Dan and Dee more than any other people in my life. Dan was a man of great integrity and faith. He and my sister had a wonderful and interesting marriage and life along with the usual share of problems and challenges that come with raising a family. But they faced them always together with their love of God..
Dan, I will miss you so much. You were a terrific brother-in-law and you took such good care of my sister. I know that the strength of your family and your marriage was a result of your unwavering faith. Something tells me that God has a very special place set for you in His house.
Danilson Family
11/27/2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.From the Danilson family
Joe Fletcher, Sr
11/27/2012
Dan was a marvelous Man a true role model. I am deeply saddened by his passing. He will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire O'Donnell Family at this difficult time.
Joe Fletcher
Sue (Reisman) Thompson
11/27/2012
The Southside has lost a marvelous Man! My thoughts and prayers are with the entire O'Donnell Family at this difficult time. Sue (Reisman) Thompson
Cory & Lisa Schoening
11/27/2012
I'm deeply saddened to hear of Dan's passing. I vividly recall the Christmas get-togethers when we would visit, swap some stories and share a few laughs. Dan was indeed a class act. Without a doubt, I'm a better person for having known Dan, Sr. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dee and the family during this most difficult time.
Jackie (Hoover) Sampson
11/27/2012
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I was fortunate to work with Dan in his last few years at Riekes and he was a true pleasure to know and work with. He was the father/grandfather to so many of us--making sure the sidewalks were always scooped before we got to work, making sure our cars were always cleaned off, making sure our cars were running and any flat tires were taken care of, etc. He always had such a gentle manner about him and handled every tricky situation with clear-headed thinking. And I was able to get to do the chicken dance with him at one of our Christmas parties and that was a blast. I have thought of Dan and Dee often the past several years since he retired (I am still at Riekes) and there are still stories of Dan that get brought up from time to time. God Bless during this trying time.
Jim Brauer
11/27/2012
I worked with Dan at Riekes from 1973-1976. I enjoyed working with Dan, and my heart and prayers go out to the family. May Dan R.I.P.. God Bless!!
Jan Heddinger
11/27/2012
I have been blessed to have been greeted by Dan's warm and wonderful smile each and every time I saw him. Our conversations were often about his family and the love for all of them shined in his eyes. He has been a wonderful influenced to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. To all the family, count your blessings for having him all these years. Take comfort in knowing that he loved you very much!
Love and prayers,
Jan
Marti Walker, Muscatine
11/27/2012
Dan and Gary (and Sheila), so sorry to hear of your dad's death. It sounds like he was quite a man - his love for his family and others must have been something incredible to watch. You have both followed his example very well - it shows in how you remember not only the names of us employees, but also how you care about what is going on in our lives. Your dad must have been very proud of both of you. I pray you will be comforted by God and by the many good memories you have of your dad. Marti Walker
Linda Dunshee
11/26/2012
To have known Dan ODonnell is to have been touched by true greatness. Dans love for his family shone like a beacon. His faith, dedication, leadership and vision shaped an incredible family and together they changed the lives of thousands of their neighbors. Dan left this world a much better place and everyone who knew him is a better, kinder and stronger person because of his inspiration. I wish I had words that would help ease your loss but unfortunately there are none. Please know that if my hug were strong enough to take away your pain it would start now and never stop. God Bless you all! Love Linda Dunshee