Donald Ralph DeHaven, 76, of Oelwein passed away Thursday December 26, 2024 at Grandview Healthcare Center in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday January 3, 2025 with Military Honors at 7:00 PM at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 AM on Saturday January 4, 2025 at the Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at Hazleton. Those in attendance at the visitation and funeral are encouraged to show their Hawkeye pride by wearing their Iowa Hawkeyes attire.
Donald was born December 3, 1948 in Independence, Iowa, the youngest of two children to William and Wanda (Hood) DeHaven. They lived on a farm until he was four years old, when they moved to Sumner where his dad had purchased a John Deere dealership. Don graduated from Sumner High School in 1967 where he had become a star golfer and basketball player.
After high school Don attended the University of Northern Iowa where he majored in business and competed on the UNI golf team. One of the highlights of his college golfing career was a chip in for UNI to beat Drake and Iowa State University in a playoff in Des Moines.
Before his senior year Don enlisted in the U.S. Army where he spent time in Korea. After Korea he came back to UNI to get his degree.
Shortly thereafter he moved to Oelwein and started working for his father at Hub City Implement where he became part owner along with his brother, Dave, in 1978. In 1996 they purchased another John Deere dealership in Rowley, Iowa. At that time Don became manager of Hub City Implement until they sold the business in 2013.
Don married Dee Pashby in 1973 and they had two children, Jennifer and Ryan. After their divorce he married Carolyn Wheeler Spence. They also had two children, Meg and Kathryn. Later they divorced.
Don and his special friend, Val Green, resided by Hickory Grove Golf Course in Oelwein until his passing. Don and his Hub City golf teams won many league championships in Oelwein over the years. Towards the end of his golfing career, he and Val enjoyed going out to Hickory Grove just to play. He often would try to give Val pointers! Don was an avid Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football fan. For the visitation the family requests that you wear your Iowa Hawkeye gear.
Don is survived by his childen: Jennifer (Philip) Ott, Earlville, Ryan (Megan) DeHaven, Oelwein, Meg (Ben) Cosselman, Littleton, Colorado, and Kathryn (Kyle) Krogmeier, West Point, Iowa; his brother Dave (Char) DeHaven, Oelwein; his nephew Jeff (Destiny) DeHaven, Oelwein; his special friend Val Green and eight grandchildren: Joel, Madison and Kennedy Ott; Hunter, Addison, Autumn and Haiden DeHaven; Avery and (baby Blaire on the way) Krogmeier.
