Donald “Don” Harold Meyer, 79 of Oelwein, and formerly of Maynard, passed away Wednesday May 20, 2026 at his home. Visitation will be from 4:00 -7:00 PM on Wednesday May 27, at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home of Oelwein. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM on Thursday May 28, 2026 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate with Pastor Kent Peck Officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Oelwein.
Don was born in Oelwein on January 23, 1947 to parents Harold and Mildred (Steege) Meyer. He was both baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate. That foundation of faith helped guide him throughout life. He graduated from West Central High School in Maynard in the class of 1965.
After briefly working at DeKalb Seed, he was drafted into the United States Army during Vietnam where he was selected for Davy Crockett training (nuclear weapons) and a goodwill tour in England. On September 11, 1970 he was united in marriage with Delores “Dee” Reid at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein. They were blessed with 3 children where Don passed down his work ethic and belief in doing things right, the honest way, while being humble and proud of everything he had.
Home, for Don, meant the family farm in rural Maynard, a place that held his heart from childhood through his final days. As the fifth generation farmer, he poured his life into his crops and registered Holsteins. The farm, now a 150‑year Heritage Farm, continues through his son with hopes for generations to come. Don embraced many agricultural changes over the years, from carrying buckets of milk to watching robots take over milking and utilizing GPS and auto-steer technology in the fields. At one point, Don’s dedication allowed him to not miss a milking for 11½ years straight. He planted 56 crops, where red tractors always led the way. Even in his final season this spring, he was still contributing and still living the life he loved. Farming wasn’t just his work; it was his calling.
Don served with the Maynard American Legion, was a longtime member of the Holstein Association, served on the DHIA board and several church council positions. For many years, he enjoyed neighborhood card-club gatherings and playing slow- and fast-pitch softball in the Westgate league.
He simply never stopped working, never stopped caring and never stopped giving to the land and the people he loved. Those closest to him always knew they mattered.
Don is survived by his wife of 56 years Dee; children: Shelley (Rich) Sessler of Clive, Tammy (Corey) Wilkerson of Amana and Troy (Erin) Meyer of Maynard; grandchildren: Caden Sessler, Mason (Kendra) Wilkerson, Hannah (Keenan Kruse) Wilkerson, Adam Meyer, Austin Meyer, Ellie Meyer and Macey Meyer; great-grandchild on the way; sister Jean (Eldon) Knoploh of Oelwein; brother-in-law Jim Middendorf of Monona; sister-in-law LaVonne (Mike) Burke of Oelwein.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Carolyn Middendorf; parents-in-law Ross “Pete” and Minnie Reid.
