Pettengill, Donald Wayne 1936 - 2023

PETTENGILL, YOUNG, WESTPHAL, MILLER, BEACHAM, SCHMIDT, HARWOOD, GUNNARSON, MESSEROLE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/4/2023 at 11:29:53

Donald Wayne Pettengill, 86, of Cresco, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2023 at Aase Haugen Home, Decorah.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1936 in Cherokee, Iowa, to Fay and Ora (Young) Pettengill. Don served in the United States Air Force from 1954-57. He was a graduate of Cherokee Community School District, Buena Vista College (B.A. in English & Social Studies), Iowa State University (M.S. in Education) and Drake University (Specialist in Education). Don taught English in the Ayrshire and Jefferson Community School Districts; served as High School Principal at Galva and Manson Community School Districts and as Superintendent of Schools at Interstate 35, Graettinger and Howard-Winneshiek Community School Districts. His career in education spanned 37 years impacting thousands of students by improving the educations systems in the districts he served.

Don married Joan Helen Westphal of Aurelia, Iowa in 1958. Don was a member of First Lutheran Church as well as many civic organizations in Cresco. Don's interests included reading, golfing, cars and a love of animals. Don's greatest joys were from time spent with his grandchildren.

Don is survived by: his son and daughter in law, Darnell and Donna Pettengill of Rio Verde, Ariz.; grandchildren Laura (Ben) Miller of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Michael Pettengill of Ankeny; great grandchildren Addison and Arden Miller of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Joan Pettengill; his parents and six sisters: Virginia Beacham, Shirley Pettengill, Donna Schmidt, Lavonne (Bonnie) Harwood, Delores Gunnarson, and Sheryl Messerole.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Cresco. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco and again one hour prior to services at the church on Friday, beginning at noon. A private family burial will take place in the Aurelia Iowa Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions will be used to create a scholarship for students attending the College of Education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database