Donald L. Petschauer

Donald L. Petschauer, age 79, of Carnarvon, Iowa, died on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa.

Don was born on October 15, 1924, at Odebolt, Iowa, the son of Louis and Martha (Hillman) Petschauer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended country school through the eighth grade. Don joined the US Navy on July 20, 1943, and served on board the destroyer USS Bainbridge in the North Atlantic. He was honorably discharged on January 17, 1946. He received a WWII Victory Medal.

Don was married to Gladys Elizabeth Schwanz on June 24, 1944, at Kensington, Maryland. Four children were born to this union: Richard, Deborah, Rhonda, and Douglas. After his military service Don farmed for a few years and did carpenter work in the Odebolt and Wall Lake area. In the spring of 1962, Don and his family moved to Carnarvon where he had purchased a plumbing and heating business. He worked at this until his retirement in 1987. His family-owned business is still in operation today. In his retirement, Don enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Don was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake, a member of the American Legion Post 262, Wall Lake, and a member of VFW Post 6537, Lake View.

Survivors include his children: Richard and his wife Shirley of Carnarvon, IA, Deborah Bals and her husband Tom of Topeka, KS, Rhonda Sutherlin and her husband Jay of Vista, CA; four grandchildren: Stacia (Bret) Baer of Topeka, KS, Chis Bals of Topeka, KS, Jennifer (Jason) Carico of Carnarvon, and Clayton Petschauer also of Carnarvon; one great grandson Jacob Baer of Topeka, KS; two sisters: Lillian Petschauer of Watertown, WI, and Sherlee Hendrickson of Ocala, FL; two sisters-in-law: Martha Schwanz of Sac City, IA, and Caroline Belt of Wall Lake, IA; one brother-in-law Orville Olberding of Carroll, IA; plus many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Martha; his wife Gladys September 20, 2001; son Douglas; two brothers: Norman (died in WWII) and Clifford; and a sister Ruth Landgraf.

Funeral services for Don will be Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 10:30 am at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake With Reverend Roger Carlisle officiating. Crystal Bunge will sing “On Eagle’s Wings” accompanied by Carol Nuetzman, organist. Ruth Gerdes, Audrey Lamaak, and Elsie Ogren will take care of the flower arrangements. Pallbearers include the following: Christopher Bals, Clayton Petschauer, Robert Belt, Leo Schwanz, James Olberding, Jason Carico, Donald K. Petschauer, and Bret Baer. Interment will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home. Full military graveside rites provided by the Wall Lake American Legion Chalon Post No. 262.

Visitation is Wednesday, April 14th at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake, from 4:00-8:00 pm with family present from 6:00-8:00. Friends who wish to send condolences may do so online.