Donald Dettmering, 81

Tripoli, Iowa — Donald Dettmering, the son of Henry and Edelia (Buhr) Dettmering, was born Aug. 23, 1927, in Fremont Township, Bremer County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek).

Funeral services were held Jan. 5, 2009, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli, Iowa. Rev. Amy Strydom and Rev. Miles Renaas officiated. Interment was in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery (Crane Creek). Military Rites were given by Wayne Teisinger V.F.W. Post #5661, of Readlyn, Iowa.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Don began working on the family farm in rural Tripoli. He was united in marriage with Gertrude Richmann on Aug. 29, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Klinger, Iowa. Don served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956. He was stationed at Fort Smith, Ark., Fort Belvoir, Va., and Bad Kreutznach, Germany. After the service, Don returned to the farm. He retired from farming in 1989. After his retirement, Don served as an EMT with the Tripoli Ambulance Service for eighteen years.

Don’s death occurred Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at the home of his daughter in Blue Earth, surrounded by his family, after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. He was eighty-one years old. Don was a lifelong and faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek). He loved his children and grandchildren and very much enjoyed the time he was able to spend with them. He also had a passion for music and a love for farming. His passion for music was realized when he formed a family band, the “Golden Stars” and performed locally with them for twelve years. He was also a member of the Readlyn V.F.W.

Those thankful for having shared his life include his wife, Gertrude, of Tripoli; his son, Daniel (Barb) Dettmering of Tripoli; his daughters, Denise (David) Schavey of Blue Earth and Donell (Marvin) Dittmer of Waverly, Iowa; his grandchildren, Matthew and Michell Dittmer, Dane and Drew Dettmering, and Brian and Kevin Schavey; and one brother, Merlin (Kathie) Dettmering of Dysart, Iowa.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.