Don R. Wohlwend

Don Wohlwend, 92, passed away Monday, September 30, 2013 at Parkridge Care Facility in Pleasant Hill. He was born in High Bridge, Iowa February 17, 1921 to Albert and Elizabeth Wohlwend. Our dad lived a wonderful life and was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He gave us all so much; his love, guidance, and support. He has been and will continue to be an inspiration to his family and those whose lives he touched through his ministry and through his example in living.

Don served his country in the U.S. Army in WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri and gained the rank of First Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, he was ordained into the ministry and spent many years pastoring churches in Missouri and Iowa.

After returning to Iowa, he continued his ministry and also worked as Director of Auto Physical Damage for Allied Insurance. He went to work for the National Association of Independent Insurers in Des Plaines, Illinois and while working with NAIT, he became National Conference Coordinator for the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair. There he developed repair techniques and coordinated the training for body shops throughout the United States and Canada. These programs are still taught in Community Colleges today. Returning to Des Moines, he became the Auto Physical Damage Consultant for Principal Financial Group until his retirement.

Don is preceded in death by his loving wife, Margarette Bates Wohlwend; eleven of his siblings: sisters, Mable Phillips, Gladys Carder, Alice Ferguson, Ethel Jones, Dolly Kubli, Cleo Viers, and JoAnn; brothers, Francis, Art, Merle, and Bill Wohlwend; and son-in-law, Larry Parsons.

He is survived by one brother, Pat Miller of Salem, MO; his children, Judy Wohlwend Parsons of Pleasant Hill, Donna Wohlwend Moon (Gary) of Des Moines, and Jeff Wohlwend (Wendy) of Indianola; grandchildren, Craig Parsons (Tami), Brian Parsons (Lori), Kristy Moon Nachtigal (Brad), Jim Moon, Megan Wohlwend, and Adam Wohlwend (Courtney); and great-grandchildren, Lindsey Parsons Starbuck (Shaun), Alison Parsons (Tyler Wilson), Cory Parsons, Michael Nachtigal, Tommy Nachtigal, Brandon Nachtigal, Jaimie Moon, Owen Parsons, and Olivia Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines followed by burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2013, also at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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