Donald Heyer

Donald Duane Heyer, age 96, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by family. He was born on March 26, 1930, in Jackson, Minnesota, to Willard E. and Amanda E. (Schluter) Heyer.

Donald spent his early childhood in the Graettinger and Estherville, Iowa area. During World War II, his family moved to Childress, Texas, where his father served in the Army Air Corps. Following the war, they returned to Estherville. Donald experienced the loss of his mother in 1946. He graduated from Estherville High School in 1948.

Shortly after graduation, Donald moved to Des Moines and began a career at Meredith Corporation. Soon after he began his career, he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served in the Korean War as a Radioman Second Class aboard the USS Blue. He treasured the lifelong bonds formed during his service and enjoyed attending reunions with his fellow shipmates throughout the years. One particularly meaningful experience was participating in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in May 2019.

After his military service, Donald returned to Meredith and built a long career as a press operator, where he worked for 40 years until he retired. It was at Meredith where he met many lifelong friends.

Donald was united in marriage to Geraldine “Jerrie” Anderson; she preceded him in death in May 2004. In 2005, he found love again with Ilse Hanke, and they were married in September 2007. Together they shared 19 wonderful years, including wintering in southern Texas and traveling to Germany to visit Ilse’s family. Above all, Donald cherished the time spent with Ilse, enjoying simple pleasures like playing cards and growing vegetables and flowers together in their yard. They both enjoyed spending time with family and friends, including their supportive grandchildren Ashley and Danny Bartlett.

Donald had a wide range of interests and hobbies. He was a skilled rock and agate hunter, carefully polishing and cataloging an impressive collection. He also enjoyed collecting stamps and postmarks from around the world. Embracing technology later in life, Donald used electronic devices to organize his hobbies and maintain the Heyer family tree. An avid reader, he enjoyed both fiction and non-fiction. In his younger years, he hunted, and he continued fishing well into his mid-90s, often using handmade jigs and lures. Donald was also a sports fan, especially of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Amanda Heyer; his stepmother, Helen Heyer; his wife, Geraldine; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ilse Heyer; his stepdaughter, Patricia Neeley-Lucas; and his step-grandchildren: Ashley (Danny) Bartlett, Whitney (Darren) Chapman, and Kristina (Dan) Schramel. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Tex) and Nancy Heyer of Spirit Lake, Iowa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Donald will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor, his kindness and generosity, and his lifelong curiosity and desire for continuous learning. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, and the memories shared by those who knew and loved him.

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